Pilgrimage & Updates
Dear Parishioners of Our Lady of Divine Providence Family of Parishes,
It seems that June has just slipped away! It’s hard to think that we will soon be in July. I hope that your summers are going well, and travels are fun and safe.
This week, I am blessed to be able to spend time in silent retreat, which priests are supposed to do once per year. I am making my retreat as part of a pilgrimage to France. I try to go on a yearly pilgrimage, because pilgrimages expand my horizons and remind me that life is a journey. I’m going to France in particular because I have a close relationship with one of France’s most famous saints, St. Therese of Lisieux. She and I are very different, but I’ve been drawn to her ever since I became Catholic. St. Therese devoted her life to praying for priests and missionaries, and she has been named a Doctor of the Church because of the value of her writings. Even though (maybe because!) she and I are so different, she inspires and encourages me, and her wisdom has been an important guide in my life as a Catholic. Please keep me in your prayers during my travels and retreat, and know that I am praying for you!
I have a couple of other updates for you as well:
A huge ‘thank you’ and job well done to Alexis for leading VBS this year! We had more than twice as many kids as last year, everyone had a great time, and it was especially fun to launch stuffed animals into the air using Randi’s ‘creation catapult.’ Thank you also to all the volunteers who made it such a success!
Looking ahead, July is the month of the Precious Blood. We will be hosting a blood drive in our family of parishes at St. Clare on Tuesday, July 14, so please mark your calendars. It’s an opportunity for you to give blood for others, remembering how Jesus gives His Blood at Mass for us.
We are looking for volunteers for a Family of Parishes booth at the Summer Festival at St. Bart’s. Peter Hoffman, one of the seminarians staying with us this summer, volunteered to help coordinate. (Thanks, Peter!) It’d be great to have you there to connect with people, help hand out information flyers to visitors, and offer to pray with people who are seeking a prayer.
Remember that all liturgies will be canceled at St. Bart’s on Tuesday, June 30 because of the parking lot repair.
Yours in Christ, with Mary,
Fr. Henry Hoffmann
