School Time
Hard to believe but the 2022-23 school year is just around the corner. I know many of you are preparing for a new school year on a number of levels in a variety of settings. Holy Family Catholic Academy welcomed teachers back this past week. Our Academy faculty and staff gathered with our Parish staff this past Tuesday to celebrate the Eucharist together, share breakfast and do some simple team building. Both staffs enjoyed the prayer and interaction very much. The Academy’s first day of class is this coming Wednesday, August 17. Our enrollment continues to grow and our principal, Kate O’Brien, assistant principal Laura Clark, the faculty and staff are looking forward to another great year.
This year is special as the Academy celebrates its 20th anniversary. Congratulations to the many founding families, students, families, and staff who have carried the mission of quality and unique Catholic education forward.
Thanks Laura Ferlita and Marsha Adamczyk
We acknowledge two team members who are moving on from their ministry, but not moving on from Holy Family Catholic Community. Laura Ferlita is leaving our Family Faith Department to pursue another ministry as a chaplain. She has been a valuable staff member for 22 years and a parishioner dating back to before she and her husband Joe were married.
Marsha Adamczyk has been a parishioner for 34 years, was a staff member here, worked at other parishes as a Pastoral Associate, then returned to our staff 10 years ago. She and Mary Whiteside have guided our Adult Faith initiatives and Marsha stepped up in a huge way to coordinate our recent Adventures in Grace pilgrimage.
We wish both Laura and Marsha well and are very pleased that both will remain parishioners and we will see them regularly.
This Week’s Scripture
Our journey with the Gospel of Luke continues to offer more challenges from the Lord. Three weeks ago we were challenged to be aware of just how powerful selfish greed can be. Two weeks ago we contemplated what it means to grow rich in what matters to God, not necessarily to us. Last week we were really challenged to prepare for the unexpected of life and the coming of the Son of Man. In a Gospel that overall is inclusive and compassionate to outcasts, these messages are very thought-provoking, because the Gospel continually challenges those who are already in religious circles, particularly in the areas of Social Justice.
This week Jesus refers to his two baptisms. He was Baptized with water to begin his public ministry to enable, forgive and reach out to those in need, and to teach the disciples, and us, to do the same.
The second Baptism is his suffering and death. He clearly is anxious about this and his emotional words reflect this. Fire and blazing imagery accentuate his passion.
A Little Bit About Work
To give you another example of how prevalent work is, consider the word Liturgy. We use it all the time in reference to some aspect of our public prayer and worship.
Liturgy is a Greek word meaning the work of the people. Our Roman Catholic tradition is steeped in beautiful rituals that are designed to be participative. Liturgy does not exclusively mean Mass. In fact, any public prayer is Liturgy and all Catholic liturgies are enriched by ritual. Ritual, by its very nature, invites us to do some sort of action. Consider that we stand, sit and sometimes kneel. We have processions, active lighting of candles, coming forward to receive the Body and Blood of Christ. Consider the actions of Proclaimers, Eucharistic Ministers, Ushers and more, not to mention the priest. All of this activity can be considered work, and the word Liturgy gives us yet another appreciation for this word.
Ministry Spotlight
Musicians
Holy Family has a very vibrant worship style that is enhanced by many talented musicians. We pride ourselves on the quality of our music experience and how it supports our mission which describes our worship as … transformative. As always, I am asking you to do two things. First, to consider your own musical talent, and your willingness to share it in helping us to pray. Second, to encourage anyone with a significant level of musical talent to consider being a part of our band or musical accompaniment. Please contact Gene Garcia at
ggarcia@holyfamilyparish.org for more information.