“To begin is for everyone. To persevere is for saints.” – Saint Josemaría Escrivá
Happy November! Last month was busy with so many wonderful campus ministry activities!
* All the classes from both schools had a chance to visit Jesus for a time of Adoration at the church. For many it was their first experience doing so, but I’ve heard a lot of positive responses.
* Both schools celebrated Mass with our renewed school choirs; hearing so many young voices singing hymns is the cherry on top of our worship time.
* Saint James School K-8 enjoyed our monthly Rosary with 8th graders Makeyla, Rhea, Julius, Alex, and Cooper leading us in prayer.
* Our first School Family Parish Mass at St. Bart’s went very well! Thank you to all of the families who attended.
This week is National Vocations Week, so to spotlight the various callings within the Catholic faith, the 6th, 7th, and 8th graders from both schools came together for a Vocations Panel Discussion. Our parish’s parochial vicar, Father Matt Collins, was joined by one of our deacons, Ramon Guzman, and a religious sister and brother from a local Franciscan community to discuss their specific vocations and answer students’ questions about those vocations. The students had some fantastic questions and our guests thoroughly enjoyed their visit!
At the end of the month we will have our second School Family Parish Mass. Please see the flyer below for details. I hope you can join us!
November began with a celebration of All Saints which, hopefully, was a reminder that the goal of every Christian is to become a saint. Pope Francis says that “sainthood is not a privilege of the few…sanctity is a vocation for everyone.” As we continue through this month, we can work towards holiness (saintliness) by continuing to remember and pray for all the departed souls in purgatory. May our intercessions intensify God’s grace for them so they can assume their place in heaven as quickly as possible.
I pray for everyone that this final month of the liturgical year is full of reflection and happy anticipation for the Advent season. May God bless you and keep you!