9/19/21 Father Owen's Bulletin Message

Dear Parishioners,

It is wonderful to be back home in Long Valley.  The time with my family was truly a love fest!  Between visiting my elderly aunties who I love dearly, my siblings, their children, some close friends and spending time in the country of my childhood, it was just a blessing.  My Auntie Maura’s 90^th birthday was fabulous.  I also spent time with my dear Auntie Bredeen, my beloved godmother.  She was incredibly good to me and a devoted godmother.  She is now living in a beautiful care facility run by The Little Sisters of the Poor.  How blessed she is to be surrounded and cared for by lovely women who give her dignity and love at this   particular time in her life.  My nephews and nieces have grown considerably in the last few years, and it was fun to renew these special relationships, we caught up on each other’s lives and had fun together.  I look forward to the day when they can safely come to America and spend time with me in my beloved Long Valley.  A big thanks to my good friend, Fr. Hubert for overseeing the church while I was away and to my dedicated staff who always take such good care of our parish.

Please keep our Antioch leadership team in prayer.  From this Friday, 24^th to Sunday, 26^th, they will run the Antioch retreat for their younger peers.  We pray that they will reach out to our young people with the love of Christ and role model for them His unconditional love. 

Maureen and I look forward to beginning Cycle “A” CCD on Sunday, October 3^rd.  We as a parish look forward to welcoming our new parishioners after the 11:30 am mass on that day.  On October 3^rd, we    welcome back our 9^th and 10^th graders and will begin at 5:15 pm with a presentation to include at least one parent for each young adult. 
On October 4^th, we celebrate the Feast of St. Francis.  Fr. Hubert and I, as is our tradition, will bless the   animals at 9:30 am on Saturday, October 2^nd.  Please bring your little furry friends to receive the blessings of Mother Church. 

Early on Sunday morning, Fr. Hubert was glued to Polish television enjoying a beautiful mass celebrated by Cardinal Semeraro, Perfect of the Congregation for the Cause of Saints.  During this Holy Mass, he declared Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski and Mother Elzbieta Rosa Czacka to be beatified.  The beloved Polish Cardinal led the Church’s resistance to communism.  The beloved nun though blind, revolutionized care for the    visually impaired.  These two holy people have begun the process of canonization through the grace of God and in time, to be nominated saints.  Cardinal Wyszynski is a special role model for Fr. Hubert as he died at the exact time that Fr. Hubert was born.  I know Fr. Hubert has great devotion to him and feels that he has a special bond with him.
 
Fr. Owen