Pope Leo XIV's request for August 22, 2025, the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary to be a day of fasting and prayer for peace
From the Desk of Father John
My dear friends, I almost forgot that it is SUMMER!
Holy Family Catholic Community is a busy place—Heaven on earth, but--It is Holiday time! Who does not look forward to the long, warm, pleasant days of the summer holidays! Another summer has arrived thanks be to God. The children are out of school and most families are preparing or already in for their summer holidays. The form of such holidays will greatly vary. For some, it means travelling to new places. For others it may mean going to a summer cottage or participating in a Summer Camp, possibly swimming lessons, horseback riding, or to relax and enjoy the beauty and peace of nature; time to spend with old friends or family who might come to stay; time to catch up with our favorite sports or hobbies; time to read those books we just never get round to reading during the year; time for barbecues with friends, or trips to the sea, countryside or mountains or just playing with friends in the neighborhood. Each year the summer season offers us the opportunity (hopefully!!) to enjoy a little bit of a change to a lighter pace of life from our typical “fullspeed-ahead mode” and to benefit from a time of rest and re-creation. Jesus, himself, regularly took time and invited his disciples to “come apart and rest a while” with him. He extends the same offer to us --- not just to relax but to gain perspective and re-focus our lives based upon our living relationship with Him. Whatever you do, enjoy these long days of sunlight, allow this season of summer to touch your heart and bring joy to other people as well!
Dear Friends, one of my seminary professors was famous for reminding us at the end of the academic year, “Gentlemen, there is no vacation from vocation!” As classes are now ending for the school year and summer vacation begins, we do well to remember the words of that seminary professor. There is no vacation from our vocation as Christian disciples. Sunday Mass attendance is a very important part of our vocation as Christians every month of the year. We need to come together each week as a parish family to worship God and to be nourished by the Word and by the gift of the Blessed Sacrament. Daily prayer is necessary whether we are in spring, summer, winter or fall. We must not take a “vacation” from living our life as a follower of Christ. Parents, you set the example for your children. We have just completed our religious education classes for the year. As summer vacation begins, will you lead by example? Our God knows us so well that He commands us to keep holy the Sabbath Day. It is a serious sin to deliberately miss Sunday Mass. I pray for all of you that you will have a blessed and graced and restful summer vacation. Therefore, summer months and holidays are not intended to be a holiday away from God as Christian life is never complete unless Jesus is involved in every daily activity. If one separates the worldly pleasures from their spiritual life, then the worldly pleasures oppose what is spiritual. But if one includes Jesus in his daily activities, then all the many summer pleasures/enjoyments are viewed as blessings from the Lord Jesus, and such does not oppose one's spiritual life! Perhaps this summer Holy Family Catholic Community can make a strong and visible statement that, even in “vacation time”, our dedicated and faithful disciples still “show up” to give thanks, praise and worship of our great God as a community of joy and faith in the Risen Lord Jesus!
This is your pastor’s favorite for summer: Barbecue with friends and family: Gathering together with the people you care about most while sharing a meal prepared in a way that is as primordial as we share about God’s blessings in our lives. Summer season is incomplete here at Holy Family Catholic Community without the Parish Annual Picnic. Mark the date—Sunday, August 3rd at Babcock Park in Dansville beginning with the Eucharistic Celebration. “Fun” and Community building are the main reasons the picnic has taken place at the parish for several years! Anyone and everyone are welcome to get involved in helping out with the picnic, and there is plenty to do, a dish-to-pass, from setting up to taking down and everything in between. And when it all comes together, the picnic is more than worth the effort. Whether you have lived here for years or have just arrived, our parish picnic is A WONDERFUL WAY FOR YOU TO MEET NEW PEOPLE and to develop personal ties that are so important for parish life. Working for the success of our picnic and participating in this weekend’s activities will give you A GREAT SENSE OF PRIDE AND ENJOYMENT about being a member of Holy Family Catholic Community.
This summer, include Jesus in your activities. Do all with Jesus, in Jesus and through Jesus. Keep Jesus on your mind all the time. Thank Jesus for all the summer leisure’s that He has permitted you to participate in. Love Jesus with all your heart so you may continue to flourish in your spiritual growth. May God grant us all a very joyful and holy summer not forgetting those who still have to work, or those who are not fortunate enough to have a true holiday away from routine! Have a blessed summer! Fr. John
