Here are several important announcements shared by Father Bob after Mass this weekend:
🇺🇸 LABOR DAY MASS
Mass on Labor Day will be celebrated at 9:00 AM.
⛳ PARISH GOLF TOURNAMENT — FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11
Our annual parish golf tournament is this Friday! Please pray for good weather and a successful day.
There will be no 8:00 AM Mass at St. Mary’s on Friday due to the golf tournament.
A Blue Mass honoring first responders and military personnel will be celebrated at Our Lady of the Cross at 10:15 AM. Everyone is welcome to attend.
🌼 FALL MUM SALE — SEPTEMBER 19
Orders for beautiful fall mums are being taken in the narthex.
$7 each or 3 for $20
Mums will be available for pickup on Saturday, September 19.
🧺 PARISH PICNIC — SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20
Our parish picnic will be held at the Our Lady of Fatima grounds.
Outdoor Mass begins at 10:30 AM, followed by the parish picnic. We hope you’ll join us!
🙏 CLERGY APPRECIATION DINNER — SEPTEMBER 22
The Clergy Appreciation Dinner will be held on Tuesday, September 22 at St. Paul’s. Tickets are available in the parish office for $25.
⛪ SANCTUARY FLOORING PROJECT
Thanks to the generosity of our Council of Catholic Women (CCW), improvements will soon be made to the sanctuary flooring.
The carpeting on the sanctuary steps and around the altar and tabernacle areas has become stained and worn and is also affected by humidity. It will be replaced with luxury vinyl plank flooring designed to resemble stone.
The new flooring will be a light, neutral color that should brighten the sanctuary, reflect more light and help the altar stand out beautifully. The project has received the required approval from the Diocese.
Work is expected to take place during the priests’ workshop in October, when Mass will not be celebrated here.
Many thanks to the ladies of the CCW who have spearheaded and generously supported this project!
🔥 IGNITE! INITIATIVE
Father Bob also gave us an early introduction to the Diocese’s new IGNITE! initiative, a capital campaign with a diocesan-wide goal of $70 million. The campaign will officially begin in our parish on January 1, 2027.
Father explained that IGNITE! is different from the Diocesan Annual Campaign (DAC). The DAC helps fund the Diocese’s regular yearly operating expenses, while IGNITE! is intended to build resources for longer-term needs.
Funds will help support areas such as:
• Care for retired priests
• Evangelization
• Catholic education
• Catholic Charities
• Needed renovations to the Cathedral
During this preliminary phase, some parishioners may receive literature or a telephone call from the Steier Group, which has been engaged to assist with the campaign.
Father Bob wants everyone to know that these contacts are legitimate and are not a scam.
Much more information about IGNITE! will be shared in the months ahead as we approach the January 1 kickoff. Anyone with questions is welcome to contact Father Bob or the parish office.