25TH SUNDAY IN OT.....CATECHETICAL SUNDAY 2010..........

Today, Catholic-Christians in the United States begin the new catechetical, religious education, faith formation, for Parish Year 2010-2011.  Catechists are being commissioned in the United States and elsewhere in  the World today, as they begin a new year of instructing children and adults, in our Catholic-Christian Faith.  Here at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Sacramento / Del Paso Heights / Rio Linda / Elverta, each of the three Sunday Masses incorporate some aspect of the catechetical commissioning.  Prayers and Blessings for parents, guardians, and sponsors, at the 5 pm and 8:30 am Masses, and the formal Commissioning Ceremony, following the Homily, with presentation to our Catechists of Certificates and Prayer Cards, denoting their commitment to carry out the catechetical ministry, during this Parish Year.  The US Conference of Bishops has declared the theme of this Catechetical Sunday and Year to be, "MATRIMONY : Sacrament Of Enduring Love".  So we will continue to focus on the fruitfulness of Catholic-Christian Marriage and the responsibility of parents to be the "first teachers of their children in the ways of Faith", as is proclaimed in the Rite of Baptism For Children.  As this new year of parish formation begins, I will also be presenting my first series of Adult Faith Formation ministry, I call, "FAITH SEEKING UNDERSTANDING", to the parishioners of OLOL, starting tomorrow night at 6:30 pm, in the Parish Hall.  The topic being, "The Mass Explained".  Two dozen persons have signed up so far.  >>>After two months of discussion and planning with the Pastoral Council for our Parish Picnic today, the weather turns wet overnight and into the afternoon, precluding an outdoor gathering on the parish lawn.  Thus we are moved the Picnic into the Hall, and an enjoyable afternoon of food and fun was had by those present..........In Fidelity To The Faith And Fellowship We Are Generously Called To Be Good Stewards Of,   Fr.  Troy