Prayers for the new school year…

As we face the reality of the new Covid variant affecting our world, country, and schools, let’s begin our school year with extra prayers for God’s mercy and the intercession of our Mother Mary.

We continue to pray for all those involved – students, teachers, administrators and staff – in another ‘messy’ new school year. This weekend I will give a special blessing to all of our students as well as their backpacks and laptops or iPad, asking for God’s Grace to help them navigate the challenges of the school year.

I am inviting everyone to join me in offering one extra Hail Mary prayer each day for our students and teachers, perhaps at the end of your regular meal prayer. Mary is always at our side as our Blessed Mother, and she will never stop helping us get closer to Jesus and trust in His care and love for us.
 
Hail Mary, Mother of God, pray for us!

On another note, a few people have asked me why I started wearing a mask again and not shaking hands when greeting people before and after Mass. Here are just a few reasons:

1) A gift to you! As we see more people in our parish who are vaccinated now getting the new variant virus, I want to reduce the risk of getting it, too. If I get Covid, all Masses in our parish will have to end for two weeks. I don’t want you to have to go without Mass.

2) In solidarity with all our children who are asked to wear masks.

3) In solidarity with our parishioners who are not able to get the vaccine for health reasons.

4) As our local hospitals are filled up once again with Covid cases, with shortage of staff and hospital beds, I don’t want to add to their burden.

While everyone has their reasons for masks or no masks, these are a few of mine. Thanks for your understanding and support.

Signed,
Your caring pastor
Fr. Jim Deiters