Dear friends,

Two more thoughts, on the opposite ends of the spectrum …

You will notice the new monthly format for my Stewardship report.  This may answer some of the questions some had concerning e-giving and the tithe.  If anyone still has questions, please feel free to Email me. (I guess this means we are now officially an “E” society).  With the summer months coming, there is always a significant drop in parish income.  Frankly it was my hope that we could mitigate this somewhat by e-giving.  There is still time to help us out by signing up for electronic giving before school gets out and people start heading for the hills, or oceans, as it were.  It’s very easy, just go to the home page on the parish website and you’ll find the link to ParishPay. 

At the opposite end of the spectrum…

A couple of weekends ago I went up to a bible camp near West Milford to celebrate Mass for some of our seniors who were on retreat.  Though my time was short, I also had the chance to hear one of the talks and discussion, as well as one of the activities.  It really is inspiring for me to hear these young adults share their faith with one another.  I’ll give you a for-instance.  During the one activity I was there for, they looked at a whole bunch of names for God, the Father, all from Scripture and then to choose the one that meant the most to them, and be willing to share the reason(s) why.  Two chose the name Abba.  Do you recognize it?  Could you tell anyone what it means?  Both seniors could, and gave great reasons why they chose it.  Abba is not a European rock group.  It is a name for Father which indicates a familiarity, sort of the Jewish daddy.  The two young people gave moving testimony as to why they thought of God, the Father, in those terms.  Another name chosen by two other seniors was “living God.”  Like their two classmates, they also spoke beautifully on how that name struck a cord that described their relationship with God. 

Think about this for a minute.  Here was a group of seniors, normal young people, involved in all sorts of things as they neared the end of their high school careers and graduation.  And here they were on a retreat at this busy time, preparing themselves spiritually to make this big move in their lives.  And sharing their faith with one another and with the adults who also were giving up a weekend in this very busy time of the year.  Who would have thunk it!  Life never offers guarantees but I see lives built on the firm foundation of faith in Jesus in the lives of these kids. 

And where did it start.  Of course at home, but also here, with Confirmation and continuation in our Youth Group.  I’ve seen these kids grow over the years, in maturity and in faith and in conviction that God is really a part of their lives.  And the willingness to witness that to others, their peers, their parents and their parish.  God bless them and God bless all the young people who were confirmed yesterday and who, I hope, will follow in their footsteps.

God Bless,
Fr. Ron