Happy Labor Day, Extraordinary Ministers and RCIA Classes

My Dear Parishioners,

Happy Labor Day!  It is hard to believe that this day is here already.  I am sure you do not need to be reminded about how different, or unusual everything is since the coronavirus.  Our SJR school children started back to school this past week with all of the Archdiocesan guidelines in place.  In spite of the awkwardness of everything, it was good to see the children back in school.

While typically we observe a break or rest from our work on Labor Day, this year many would love to be back at work.  It is good to recognize what a blessing it is to be able to work.  This is part of God’s plan for us and it helps us to realize who we are called to be. This weekend it is important to thank God for the grace to work as part of our human condition and to improve it.  We also remember that the blessing of work is not an easy one.  While we are grateful for the opportunity to work, we also recognize in these difficult times that many people are unemployed or underemployed and we include them in our prayers too.

I am making my regular Holy Communion Calls, but our Extraordinary Ministers have not been going out due to concerns about health.  I noticed that our homebound are suffering even more during these difficult times.  Contact with others is down, one person confided in me that they are so lonely that they would like for someone just to talk to on the phone.  I spoke with a member of our HOPE group and they are looking to organize volunteers willing to make occasional phone calls just to check in on those who are alone, or feel isolated.  It surely is a worthwhile ministry.  If anyone is willing to do this, please contact Mrs. Laura DeHennis at 215-442-1515.  Also if there are any Extraordinary Ministers willing to bring our Lord in the Eucharist to the homebound, please let me or Ann Trotter know.

I am also preparing to offer the RCIA or Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults again this year.  This is the special program where those who are interested in becoming Catholic, whether they have never been baptized or were raised in another faith, can learn more about our faith and receive the sacraments to become a Catholic.  Things will be different this year due to the virus, but please know that we will provide the opportunity to those interested in becoming Catholic or completing their Initiation.  If you know someone interested, please have them contact the rectory about attending our Night of Inquiry on Wednesday, September 30th, at 7:00 p.m. in classroom 18.  No commitment is necessary, the meeting is just to find out what is involved.  We will have to abide by all social distancing requirements, and we ask you to wear a mask.

We are also in real need of adults who are interested in our faith and willing to become members of our RCIA Team.  You don’t need to be a professional speaker or teacher, but just someone who is in love with our faith and willing to share that with others.  This year we will be using a “leader friendly” DVD series.  Team members will show the instructional video and then facilitate some discussion and sharing about the faith.  Many times, the leaders tell me that they receive just as much from the work as the candidates and catechumens.  If interested in joining our RCIA Team, please call me at the rectory 215-672-3020 and register.

God Bless You!
Fr. Bordonaro

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