We celebrate this weekend one of the great festivals of the church year, the Solemnity of the Assumption of Our Lady. We commemorate on this important day the mystery of Mary assumed into heaven body and soul, singularly privileged in this because of her perfection as the sinless Mother of God.
It is interesting that many Christian churches, especially those in the East, celebrate on this day, not the Assumption, as we do in the West, but the Dormition of Mary (or her “falling asleep” in death). However we look at this great feast, whether as the Dormition of Mary or her Assumption, we are reminded of the reality that, like Mary, our earthly journey will one day come to an end, and our hope is that we will join Mary with all the saints in the glory of heaven. Her Assumption reminds us of God’s great goodness, a goodness that is revealed to us, not just in this life, but also in the next. The promise of heaven is always before us, to set us on the right track when we fall, and to inspire us to continue our earthly journey. Queen assumed into heaven, pray for us!
In light of the upcoming opening of school, I remind you that many of our classes in our Blessed Trinity School are full for the upcoming school year, but we do have some openings in a few grades. If you have a child, or know of a child, who would benefit from a superior Catholic education, please call our school office (215-338-9797) to speak with our Principal, Ms. Linda Milewski, about registering. If you do have a child, please don’t hesitate in calling---the spots are filling quickly, and once a grade is closed you will be placed on a waiting list. Ms. Milewski or a member of our staff would also be very happy to give you a tour of our school buildings, and to answer any questions you may have about Blessed Trinity.
I also remind those parents whose children do not attend Catholic school of your obligation to ensure that your children are educated in our Catholic faith. Our Parish Religious Education Program (P.R.E.P.) exists for this purpose. From September through May, classes are held every Wednesday afternoon, from 4:30 to 6:00 P.M. Children in Grades K through 8 who do not attend Catholic school should attend. Mrs. Cheryl Kirschman, our devoted Coordinator of Religious Education, and our dedicated PREP faculty, provide an excellent learning environment for our children to learn about the faith. If you have not enrolled your child in our PREP for the 2021-2022 school year, please call the rectory as soon as possible to do so. This is especially important if your child needs to receive the Sacraments of Penance, Eucharist, and/or Confirmation. Should you have any questions or concerns, please call the rectory and Mrs. Kirschman would be happy to answer them. I once again call to your attention the ad in this bulletin regarding the Rite of ChristianInitiation for Adults (R.C.I.A.). This process will be beginning in the fall. This journey of faith is for those adults and young adults who have never been baptized, those who were baptized in another Christian denomination and would like to be received into the Catholic Church, and those who were baptized Catholic but never were catechized and/or never received the sacraments of Eucharist and/or Confirmation. If you know of anyone who falls into any of these categories, please encourage them to call the Rectory to speak with me so that they can begin this journey and be received into the Church at Eastertime.
I remind you that beginning this Sunday, August 15, Archbishop Perez, in conjunction with the other Bishops of the Pennsylvania Dioceses, has reinstated the obligation to attend Mass in person on Sundays and Holydays, an obligation which had been suspended in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. I truly believe it is time for us to gather once again in person for the Sunday Eucharistic Celebration, which is the source and summit of our life as Catholics. Many of you reading this already have begun coming back to church regularly. I take this opportunity to cordially invite everyone, especially in light of the obligation being reinstated, to join us once again in-person for the celebration of Mass on Sundays and Holydays, unless you are feeling unwell, have tested positive for COVID, or are genuinely unable to get to church, especially because of age or your physical condition.
Know that you and those you love are daily remembered in my Mass and my prayers.