Dear Parishioners:
I am happy to announce that Mr. Jeremy Long will serve as OLM's new Faith Formation Director. He is the Theology Teacher at OLM Middle School and will continue in that role while leading our Faith Formation. His education includes a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in Philosophy and English and a Master of Arts degree in Philosophy, both of which were awarded summa cum laude by Holy Apostles College. Mr. Long is pursuing an additional Master of Arts in Theology.
We are grateful to Mr. Long for accepting this important position in forming the youth of our parish in the faith. We also thank Mrs. Mickey St. Jean and Mr. Doug Green, who led our faith formation for many years and retired this past June. They are helping Mr. Long in the transition to this new role.
Our Faith Formation Program begins in October, and registrations will begin soon. Please keep an eye on the bulletin for updates about the program. Our program will particularly focus on the Preparation for the Sacrament of Communion and Confirmation.
Fr. Mahoney led our 2023 Confirmation Class on retreat last Saturday. Their study and preparation for the celebration of Confirmation on Sunday, October 29, continues with a final class and a Penance Service in early October. Please keep them in your prayers as they prepare to receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Next Sunday, we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Mercy. Our new bishop, Bishop Henning, will celebrate and preach at 10:30 a.m. Please plan on joining us as we honor our Parish Patroness. Bishop Henning is also scheduled to bless the new front doors! Please pray they are fully installed! Following the Mass and blessing, join us for a reception in Mercy Park, where you can welcome Bishop Henning to OLM.
Of course, the Feast Day Mass kicks off our Feast Week! On Monday, September 25, we have our Annual OLM Saints and Scholars Open Golf Tournament at Quidnessett Country Club. We still have room left, so get your foursome signed up soon! Fr. Mahoney is once again predicting a win for his foursome! See if you can beat his team and sign up today! If you don't golf or can't make the tournament, consider sponsoring a tee sign or a priest to play golf. Sign up for golf or sponsorships online at the parish website.
Join us for a Holy Hour of Mercy on Wednesday, September 27, with prayer, adoration, and beautiful, meditative music by our OLM Music Director, Henri St. Louis, and the parish and children's choirs. Our preacher for the Holy Hour is Fr. James Ruggeri, the Pastor of St. Patrick and St. Michael Parishes in Providence. He is an outstanding priest and preacher, and we are blessed he is coming to OLM.
On Thursday, September 28, we will have our Work of Mercy, and you are invited to join us as we assist the homeless. We will be packing backpacks with much-needed items. This event is great for the whole family, so join us as we perform this Act of Mercy.
We end our Feast Week by celebrating our Annual Oktoberfest on Friday, September 29! Oktoberfest is a German tradition celebrated over two weeks in Munich and ends on the first Sunday in October. The festival originated on October 12, 1810, to celebrate the marriage of the crown prince of Bavaria.
Our Oktoberfest lasts one night but is full of authentic German food, beer, music, and fun for the whole family. Join us in the beer tent as we celebrate the coming of Mary's Month of October! We will hold our See You In September Raffle drawing that night, so get your winning tickets soon! We are giving away $10,000 in prize money! Better odds than the lottery or the casino!
Today, our OLM Family Group hosts coffee and donuts after the 9:00 a.m. Mass. This group of young families meets monthly for various spiritual, educational, and social events. So please stop by and enjoy a donut and learn more about them.
I am away on vacation in Ireland this weekend, celebrating a friend's 70th birthday and returning on Sunday night. I thank Bishop Evans for helping cover Masses and Fr. Mahoney for ably running the parish in my absence this past week. See you next Sunday! Do good. Be well. God Bless. Go Pats!!!!!!