Beloved of God and of this parish:
1. TIME FOR THANKSGIVING:
Let me take this opportunity to thank [again] all who provided food, music and worked hard to make our patronal feast a success. May the Blessed Virgin Mary, mother of God and all the saints of God intercede for us so we may obtain the needed graces to grow in faith and in our baptismal vows.
2. THIS SUNDAY, August 29:
(a) Serving:
Joanna Cory [EM1]; Joe Gaynor [EM2]; Peter Braganca [Thurifer]; Elliott Ryder [Lector]; Bea Boggess [Prayer of the Faithful]; Angela and Simone [Oblation bearers]; Simone Bookman [Usher]; The Joseph Family [Post-Mass refreshments].
(b) Parish Forum:
Our parish forum this Sunday will focus on: outreach to Hispanic community; parish finances and related issues; Peace and Justice Commission survey; parish awards; annual rummage sale; Ordination Silver Jubilee Mass on Sunday, Sept, 12, plus much exciting news to share. Our Vestry will entertain what questions you may have. Please, endeavor to come to Mass and stay for the Forum. It is our parish, let us show a sense of ownership. Our parish is part of God's reign, let us support its ministries and the mission of the church.
3. GROUNDS MAINTENANCE:
Work is progressing steadily on improving our "grounds". For now, one portion of the lawn will be put on an automatic sprinkler until we have enough money to work on the other portions. Eventually, we hope to have more color around the church. If you are able to contribute towards this project, please, make your check to St. Mary and put in the memo column "grounds project".
4. OF YOUR CHARITY:
Please, intercede for the following: Birthdays: Phyllis Thomas [August 30]; Chelsea (Daley) Adams [Sept. 1]; Mark Kennedy [Sept. 2]. Recovering from recent unwellness: John Dadzie, Anthony and Jai; Brenda and Tony. Illness: Gene Boggess, Mrs. Philip Chand, Kay Burleigh.
Noticeable UPCOMING CHANGES:
1. Beginning Sunday, Sept. 5, Morning Prayer will be prayed [each Sunday] in the church beginning at 9:45am to be immediately followed by Mass. All of us need time to "quieten down" and be "centered" before Mass. Please, prayerfully join in and spend some time preparing yourself for Mass.
2. Bible Study will be moving FROM Wednesday Noon to 1pm TO Wednesday 7pm beginning September 8. We will meet in the Chapel. We will begin exploring the Book of Nehemiah [In the Old Testament]. The preferred bible translation is the New Revised Standard Version [NRSV]. If you do not have this translation, please, come with what you have.
Required: A willingness to explore God's word with others. Notebooks and pens would be provided to participants. NO EXAMS AND PAPERS TO WRITE. You can support this project by: donating refreshment, attending the sessions with your friends and by spreading the word.
Always grateful for your ministry within our parish and your commitments to christian discipleship and to the mission of God's reign in our community and generation. The Christian life is not lived in isolation!!
See you at God's banquet table with all that we are.
Fr. Shamo
www.stmarypalms.org
