 Fr.
Tom's Tomes May 17, 2009
Many graduations are happening this weekend. I want to congratulate all those who are graduating this year from our parish. There are students from Pre Kindergarten through Doctorate Degrees graduating and entering new avenues of life. Into whatever endeavors these graduates go God will be with them. As Catholics we believe active participation in the sacraments on a weekly basis is important for us to give God time in our lives. As the school year ends many families plan weekends away and vacation time. It is necessary to make sure you continue to attend Mass where ever you are. By attending Mass on vacation we show our children how important our faith means to us. Examples we show children and grandchildren are important. Make faith an important example by going to Mass and praying daily on vacation. For the past several weeks we have had Bible study for high school students. We have had five high school youth attending these sessions. In June there is an opportunity for high school youth to go on a river float in southern Missouri. If you have a son or daughter interested in going on the float trip on June 10 and 11th please call the parish office and leave your name and telephone number. We will take as many students as we have drivers. Now is the time the students need to sign up. Next weekend is Memorial Day weekend. Memorial Day was established to remember those who have fought for our country and the freedoms we enjoy as citizens living in the United States. Since the institution of Memorial Day, the meaning has expanded as a day to remember all who have died. On Monday, May 25, 2009, Memorial Day, there will be Mass at St. Columban Cemetery at 9:00am. (In case of rain the Mass will be held in Church.) Come and join us in remembering all those who have died. St Columban cemetery is our parish cemetery. Over the Memorial Day weekend there will be people at the cemetery taking donations for mowing the grass. If you go to the cemetery please leave a donation for the mowing. Also a reminder that if you put flowers on the grave of family or friends the flowers must be removed on or by May 31, 2009. After May 31, 2009 all flowers on a grave not in a flower vase attached to the marker or hanging from a Shepard’s hook directly adjacent to the marker will be removed. During the mowing season it is important not to have a lot of things to cut around so the cemetery may look nice and well maintained. I know I have gotten many calls about the way the cemetery looks and one way to assist the mowers is by having all flowers not in the appropriate containers removed from the graves. I do want to thank you for all the people who are cooperating in this matter. There is a lot of improvement this year and my hope is that it will continue. There was a change in who is mowing and I think maybe this will also help. God bless you. |