It was remarkable that something special happened at St. Matthias last week when almost 100 children from our region attended the Vacation Bible School from Monday through Friday. Almost 40 volunteers helped them and led them to the school of prayer life. Also, for three days starting on August 1, the WWPR will host the “Days of Service; Nights of Prayer” retreat for our children, 8th grade age and older. They reach out to those in need during the day, and in the evening, they have time to learn about the faith, pray together and celebrate the sacrament of reconciliation. Fr. McCullough and I are blessed to be part of these two pastoral events. We appreciate the amazing work that the WWPR staff and volunteers do with their help in this ministry towards children. Click title for full column.

We are offering a “Summer Series” on the Church Doctors. We meet in the St. James Media Room at 7:00 pm. Thursday, July 25 Fr. McCullough will be discussing St.Gregory the Great & St. Ambrose.

I began to grow suspicious around the third voicemail I got this past weekend of folks singing to me, and I knew that someone must have been coordinating an effort to get people to call and sing me happy birthday. I should have known it was Fr. Lambert all along, and I am grateful to him, all the singers, and everyone who so graciously wished me a happy birthday and prayed for me last weekend. Ordinarily checking voicemails and emails can be something of a chore, but it was a joy to see such an outpouring of love. Truly, you are all too good to me. Now, on to the Gospel! Click on title for full column.

This Sunday, July 21, 12:00-3:00 pm! Join us for a parish picnic to celebrate the feast day of St. James. Many hands make light work. Please sign up for a volunteer spot (see link below). We look forward to seeing you at the celebration! Link for both volunteers and side dishes/desserts: https://bit.ly/2xbOcSw

The Wojtyła (Voi-TIH-wah) Society's next event will be a whiffle ball game on Saturday July 20 at 11:00 am at St. Matthias!

Rivalries, once a major concern in my life, have become somewhat amusing as I get older and my priorities change. There was a time when I could spend an entire day shouting about why Cubs fans are obnoxious, or better yet, how Steelers fans are the worst (they really are, though I can think of a few parishioners who are going to have a word with me after seeing this column…) But while I still enjoy watching sports when I have the time, my vocation and the situations it places me in have taken the edge off the seething hatred I once felt for certain sports organizations. I suppose there is something about being invited into the homes and hospital rooms of the dying a hundred times that shifts one’s perspective. Click on title for full column.

Our Region’s VBS will be July 22-26 from 9:30 am –12:30 pm at St. Matthias. Click title for registration and supply link.

I can see the beginnings of an important separation that is taking place among my peers from the seminary, that being what some would call the thinning of the herd or the separating of the wheat from the chaff. In simpler terms, I now see a dividing line between the geniuses that the Archdiocese has sent away for studies, and us poor, lowly parish priest types who tend to the flock and make sure the bills get paid and the lights stay on. I am thrilled to be in the latter category, but every so often I have an encounter with the smarter priests of the Archdiocese, and it’s a reminder of what a dim bulb I am at times. Click title for full column.

One of the true joys of ordained ministry for me has always been running into people that I’ve been privileged to serve in some way. Whether it’s the family for whose loved one I celebrated a funeral, or a family whose child I have baptized, there is always a special bond when you’ve encountered Christ together with someone at a significant moment of their life. Perhaps my favorite type of encounter is running into a couple whose wedding I’ve witnessed. Despite how different all of these couples truly are, one of the most consistent themes of these conversations is that they sometimes feel as though they’ve been married for twenty years, and other times it seems like yesterday. Click on title for full column.

4th of July Regional Mass The regional 4th of July Mass is 9:00 am, Thursday, July 4 at St. Matthias.