Dear Friends in Christ,

Autumn begins this Tuesday, September 22, and we will continue to see the falling leaves change colors, the temperatures drop, and the days become shorter. The changing of seasons is an opportunity to take stock of our lives in this year of our Lord 2026, and that includes our life as a faith community.

This weekend at Masses, you will hear members of our pastoral councils give a brief “State of the parish address,” a summary of the annual report we send to the archdiocese which you received last week. In it, you will hear about the vitality of our family of parishes. Like any family, we have much to celebrate and a few challenges to work on together. My hope and prayer are that the change of seasons we share will bring us closer together in becoming generous stewards of God’s gifts of our time, talent, and treasure. That ultimately begins with the attitudes that flow from our individual and collective hearts. One of my favorite poets, Mary Oliver, offers these musings to consider at this time of the year. The work is titled “Lines written in the days of growing darkness.” Enjoy!

Every year we have been witness to it: how the world descends into a rich mash, in order that it may resume. And therefore, who would cry out to the petals on the ground to stay, knowing as we must, how the vivacity of what was is married to the vitality of what will be? I don't say it's easy, but what else will do if the love one claims to have for the world be true? So let us go on, cheerfully enough, this and every crisping day, though the sun be swinging east, and the ponds be cold and black, and the sweets of the year be doomed.
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Blessings of autumn peace!
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Fr. William Heric, Pastor