As August heat and humidity cover us like a musty blanket, hopefully the children among us, and the child in us all, can find continued summer fun in beaches, pools, golf courses – and other outdoor venues. Perhaps you and your family are getting ready for, or most likely, returning from, a summer vacation. I hope you have shared restful and fun times this summer with those you love the most. Perhaps this August finds you grabbing the final days and weeks before the school bell rings in a new year, new grade levels and endless progression in school and beyond. Whatever the remaining summer brings you, make sure you take time to offer prayers of gratitude to our creator God for the gift of this warm weather.
August means school. August means some steamy summer days that burn hot before cooler, auburn, browns and oranges color our world and bring cooler temps.
This is most certainly the time of year when hot and humid dominate and cooler, if not colder, temperatures seem far away. When it is really hot, we are forced to slow down and protect ourselves from sun and cool ourselves from the heavy cloud of humidity. Appreciate the hot. Appreciate the change that we have in climates in this part of our magnificently beautiful world given to us by God.
We were honored to welcome Archbishop Cupich last Sunday, and I felt great pride in the way that he caught our welcoming, vibrant and progressive spirit. He was very impressed with our campus and really appreciated the tour, which further helped him to see the unique, expansive facility that helps us to carry out our ambitious mission.
As we walked through the building there were still many items left over from our Rummage Sale. I want to extend a heartfelt thanks to a very dedicated group of staff, leadership and volunteers who worked very hard to make this the most successful rummage sale yet. Total revenue increased over 50% from last year. Thanks to chairwomen Mary Rubino, Rose O’Brien and Nancy Stacy. Thanks to over 70 volunteers including seniors who helped set up, tag items, organize and generally give a warm Holy Family welcome to many who are not regularly engaged in our parish life, and, of course, many who are visiting us for the first time. Thanks to an increasing number of teens and young people who provided muscle to move heavier items. Finally, thanks to staff members like Ray Lacek and our Maintenance Staff and Len Locascio, our Controller, and particularly to Bernie Schaefer, our Director of Development, who spearheaded the efforts.
Please consider how significant the Rummage Sale is to our mission. Many people are able to furnish their homes at a fraction of the price that it might ordinarily take. The Palatine Library benefits from the many books collected. We are serving people and enabling them to improve the quality of their home, or perhaps start a home with lightly used quality furnishings. The Rummage Sale serves many of you who are downsizing and need to donate items.
At this moment revenues from this year’s sale have topped $19,000. Thanks to all of you!
These past few weeks I have preached about the general angst in our world that has been growing. Many people are voicing concern, fear and confusion in the face of repeated events of terror and violence. The reaction by so many seems to be voiced in a question – “What is going on in our world?” The question seems to come from violent acts of both terror and prejudice and a lack of respect for life that is even manifest in our political climate.
I have asked the same question of our world, and I have also asked one that I repeatedly ask, “What can we at Holy Family do about this?” That question has sparked several spirited conversations among staff and leadership and we are turning the ideas surfaced on those conversations into reality.
My conviction is that the starting point is prayer, and yet there seems to be so much to pray about and for. Differing views of God seem to add further confusion to the climate.
So amidst this general angst we are offering an evening of quiet prayer here in the sacred space of Holy Family Catholic Community on Tuesday, September 7 from 7:00pm- 8:30pm. More details will follow, but our hope is that the evening will be an opportunity for you to gather, ideally with family and friends, in a peaceful and sacred setting for a few moments or the entire hour and a half. We are offering a prayerful opportunity for you to write down your feelings and concerns regarding any issue in our world, country or local community, to hear some readings that might prompt reflection and to share a simple ritual (perhaps lighting a candle, we don’t know yet as details are still being crafted).
Please mark the date and spend some time in prayer for and with a world in need of peace, unity and healing. Also look for details regarding other events that we here at Holy Family are planning to address issues and concerns stemming from violence and hatred on the world stage and here in our area.