FEAST OF THE TRIUMPH OF THE HOLY CROSS : START OF THE NEW RELIGIOUS EDUCATION YEAR CLASSES @OUR LADY OF LOURDES, SACRAMENTO..........

The wood of the Cross of Jesus the Christ, is the tree of salvation for the World, it is the instrument of reconciliation God the Father commissioned His Son to use for the redemption of Humankind.  Catholic-Christians value and honor the Cross of  Christ and on this date we focus each year on it's triumph and victory over the worldly powers of war, evil, selfishness, sin, and death, and we exalt in the salvific role the ignominious passion, crucifixion, and death, of Jesus Christ attained for His followers, in conquering fallen human nature and separation from the Divine, and restoring not only our temporal relationship with God, but our promise and hope for infinity in God's Kingdom.  In your hearts, minds, and prayers, today "Lift High The Cross", of our Lord and Savior and acknowledge anew the blossoming of the wood, and the fruitfulness of the tree, on which the Son of God and Son of Man, was hung and died, that we might live forever in the fullness and abundance of the Lord our God.....Our Lady of Lourdes new Parish Secretary / Office Receptionist, Keith Gray started worked today. He and I successfully transmitted together the Sunday Bulletin for next week and he began to learn the ropes concerning telephones, doorbells, parish computer, and mail.  It was truly a full 5 hours for him, day one !!!!!  Keith will be working three days a week, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, from 11 am - 4 pm.  He is also now doing music ministry @ OLOL, as an organist at the 5 pm Saturday and 8:30 am Sunday Masses.....My jet lag from vacation is starting to fade and a good night's sleep tonight and totally chillaxing tomorrow, Wednesday my day off - after celebrating the Morning Mass and Reception for the Patronal Feast of the Canossian Sisters of Charity, should square it away..........Tonight our Religious Education classes for Grades 1-4, and visited each of the classes for an introductory and friendly hello.  A relatively small group of students, a number already knew me from seeing me in Church at Sunday Mass...........May Christ's Cross Truly Bless Us  All,   Fr.  Troy