"THE WORD AMONG US" BIBLICAL MEDITATIONS BOOKLET GO LIKE GANGBUSTERS AT SUNDAY MASSES...........

Perhaps the most popular and widely read publication of monthly Biblical meditations and Scripture themes, in America, is, "The Word Among Us".  One of the premier publications of its kind in the post Vatican II, Catholic Church, it is utilized by a great many Catholic-Christians for both personal, and communal, reading and reflection.  It is used in Bible Study groups, and Scripture Sharing sessions.  From September 29 -December 22, it will be the resource we use at OLOL Parish, to conduct a Thursday afternoon 'Scripture Study', for our parishioners.  Through a special discount arrangement from the publishers, our economically challenged, and struggling, small parish, is able to include a quality resource like, TWAU, in my pastorate's ongoing priority of providing continued, and ongoing, adult faith formation for all our members.  A daytime offering is almost always well received by the elderly, or those home during the day, who have difficulty coming out, or driving at night.  And with space availability in the parish hall, and the church, limited by our already ongoing catechetical and ministry needs, a gathering during the day is easier to arrange.  Sign-ups for the sessions will be held September 18th - 28th, by calling the Parish Office,  to register and reserve a copy of the booklets for October, November, and December, needed to participate.  After those dates, any additional copies of TWAU, will be offered to our Sunday Massgoers for biblical meditation and spiritual reading.  Sixty eight copies, the entire allotment of the September booklet, were sold out before the requests stopped coming this afternoon, following the celebration of our 2 Sunday Masses.  I am optismistic that  twenty, or more, parishioners will attend these twelve weekly sessions of Scripture Study; which in addition to our Faith Seeking Understanding Series, on Preparing for the new Mass texts of the Revised Roman Missal,;  and our newly expanded RCIA / Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults Ministry, are a part of my concerted pastoral plan for the renewal and revitalization of our entire parish community; - in readiness for the start of the three year, RENEW International Ministry's  parish pastoral, and spiritual, revitalization experience, which begins here at OLOL, in January.  None of this is new to me.  I discovered as a seminarian that to match the outstanding work the Catholic Church has done for a myriad of centuries with religious education for children, and college students, there is as vital and imperative a need, to do exceedingly well rounded Adult Faith Formation in every parish.  This I have done for the more than two dozen years of my priestly ministry, and now bring and commit to carrying out in OLOL Parish.  In early October, I will conduct the 500th session of adult faith formation I have offered in the ten parishes in which I have ministered as a priest.  I pray many of the OLOL parishioners will continue to take part and that, their lives and our community of believers, will be enriched, by the strengthening of their faith and spirituality...........Offered In The Spirit of God's Greater Glory And The Common Good,   Fr.  Troy