Salute to Scouting This Weekend:
The Scouts hold a dear place in many of our hearts. Scouts hold a dear place in our hearts because many of us were privileged enough to be in scouting. Scouting is a means to further nurture our children to be well rounded and reverent people. It is a means to teach life lessons at a child's most impressionable age. I am very thankful that we have an active scouting program here at St. Cecilia for both our younger boys and our girls. To have a scouting program takes dedication from volunteers, and we are blessed with many volunteers. While I wish to thank them all, I personally want to thank Cathy & Ned Hirsch in their last year of leadership at St. Cecilia. Ned & Cathy have worked tirelessly to build a strong scouting program for our youth. Cathy was especially integral every year in organizing the scout Mass. The program will miss the Hirsches' dedication to all scouts and to scouting in general.
Volunteer Party a Smash!
What a party we had for all the volunteers of the parish. It was truly a fantastic event, and I hope everyone came away knowing that I and the whole staff are so grateful for your love of the Lord that leads you to serve St. Cecilia Parish. We held the party at the home of Dr. Donald and Nora Shumrick (photo, right), two of our parishioners. On behalf of the parish, I thank them for their gracious hospitality and for opening up their home to all. They were such wonderful and fun hosts. Thanks also to the Shumricks' many children, grandchildren and friends who helped serve and make sure everyone was having a great time. And thanks to all the benefactors who donated the food and beverages for the party. We are blessed to have such great friends. I also wish to thank my brothers, Eric and Dave, and Dave's wife, Lisa, for all their efforts, as well. What a party! (Visit our Facebook page to see all the photos!).
St. Cecilia Marches for Life:
Last week's March for Life in Washington, D.C., drew a crowd estimated at 500,000. The March for Life is held to protest against abortion in our country. It is the single largest protest march that Washington has every year. There is nothing that compares. Besides myself and our seminarian Jim Riehle, there were many parishioners at the March for Life (photo, right). Though the day was a bit soggy, it did not dampen the spirits of the huge crowd.
Reading the Bulletin in Portland:
As many know, some of the best reading you can do is right in the bulletin. Parishioners Doug & Joy Kornish are caught keeping up with the parish while on vacation in beautiful Portland (photo, right).
Just Arrived:
We welcome into the world one of our newest parishioners, Drew Patrick Hafner (photo, right ). Drew is the proud son to Adam & Jill Hafner and brother to Paxton. Congratulations to all.
New Cassocks and Surplices for Servers:
Recently, St. Cecilia's servers were outfitted with new cassocks and surplices by an anonymous donor (Daniel and Samuel Donovan modeling, right). I enthusiastically welcome the new attire. It not only looks very handsome, but I truly believe the cassocks and surplices communicate that the act of the Eucharist is not an informal event but a serious, glorious, and elevated event that we partake in.
