Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

In this week, where we celebrated the Feast day of St. Francis of Assisi (last Sunday) and on Wednesday, October 7th Our Lady of the Rosary, we are reminded of the prayers we can offer, especially for all life from conception to natural death, and the service we can give to the most vulnerable among us.

Think about praying the Rosary this month asking the Blessed Mother's intercession for the many needs within our Church, nation, and world. As the patroness of our parish, and the Church in the United States, let us lift up our hands and hearts for all people in this pandemic especially for those with the COVID-19, those who have died as a result of it, the families that have been left to mourn their loss many times remotely, and for all who are on the front lines.

The month of October has many opportunities for our prayers, such as it is the month for Breast Cancer awareness. It is the month for the annual CROP Walk to alleviate Hunger, and October is designated as Latino History month. October is a month of preparation for cooler and rainier weather as well as listening to the campaigning being done by those seeking office. October for St. Mary's is also a time to look at the strategic, security, and ongoing sanitation needs we will continue to have in place. October 13, 14, and 18 are the beginning days for the Faith Formation and TNTT programs. We would like to welcome Dallana Hernandez as the new Director of Faith Formation in the English-Speaking Community. October is the month when we as a Parish will celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation for 70 candidates in an outside Mass on Saturday morning at 11:00 a.m. on October 24th. While the month of October is the month for children and Halloween, this year we need to also pray for children and the safe activities that they will participate in. This year, in the evening of October 24 starting at 7:00p.m. the Youth Group will be hosting a Halloween movie Night, with some light and safely handled refreshments. More details on this activity will follow.

October is a month to ask for the Blessed Mother’s, guidance and protection for many reasons. "Pray for us o holy Mother of God, now and at the hour of our death. Amen."

The Lord's blessings be with you.

Father Bill