Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

The middle of August comes with the familiar phrase “back to school”; meanwhile, nature and liturgy invite us to rejoice in the fruits of the earth, and in the fruits of our lives. These two currents, “back to school” and “rejoice in your fruits,” are not quite synchronized. School is to be the time to sow the seed, while nature at this time invites us to harvest ripe fruits.

Please, pray for our students in colleges, high schools, grammar schools - in every kind of school – and of course, for students at our parish schools, asking God for the gifts and inspiration of the Holy Spirit. This is the time to sow, this is the time to work hard. It is not just the beginning of the school year that is some kind of sowing of the seed, but rather, it is the whole time of receiving an education that is an investment for one’s whole life. May you rejoice for many years in what you sow today. May God bless you, dear beloved students, and keep you in His care.

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary celebrated this coming Thursday is a great solemnity, because we rejoice in the glorious end of her earthly life. Mary dedicated herself whole heartedly to her son from the very beginning of His earthly life through Bethlehem, Egypt, Nazareth, Cana, Jerusalem, and finally, Golgotha. Even after the resurrection, she took care of His Mystical Body, the Church. All of her dedication was rewarded by the Son, and the Blessed Virgin Mary "having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory." The Assumption of Mary is the promise for us who belong to Christ, that our life will also be completed with such a joyful end.

May God bless you!

Fr. Andrew