From the Desk of Fr. Schaller - October 4, 2020

In both the Old Testament reading (Isaiah) and the Gospel (Matthew) from today’s Mass, we have a parable of a vineyard. The vineyard is the Lord’s, and so too is the fruit of the vineyard. Among the several meanings which could be drawn from these parables, certainly one of them is this: the whole world, including one’s very life, is truly a gift from the Lord. It is not “mine”, any more than the fruit of the vineyard belongs to the tenants, but rather belongs to the vineyard owner. It is good to reflect upon this truth, especially today which the Church observes as Respect Life Sunday. From the beginning of life at conception, to the end of natural death, our life is the Lord’s. Saint John Paul II recognized clearly the many ways that the “culture of death” continues to expand in its attack on the dignity of each human life. We need to pray – and act – in order to re-establish a stronger “Culture of Life”. One significant action is voting for persons who share our respect for the dignity of life. National elections are November 4. Check the positions of candidates and parties to see where they stand on these crucial issues. Then vote! I suggest in-person voting on Nov. 4 for those who can, and Absentee voting if necessary.


As I have mentioned in past bulletins, the Diocesan Annual Appeal provides funding for many local, diocesan, national, and universal Church efforts. All our parishioners should have received their letter from Bishop Callahan, along with a brochure explaining the Appeal and a personalized pledge card. (Additional brochures and blank pledge cards are available in the Holy Family Cenacle, if you did not receive or misplaced your letter.) The target for SSPP is $43,600, but I am proposing for us a goal of $100,000. Every dollar that we exceed the official target will be returned to SSPP for our parish’s use. Exceeding our target will NOT cause the target to go up in the future, nor will it change the level of our support to Assumption Catholic Schools. I encourage all our parishioners to contribute to the DAA generously - according to your means. As the old saying goes: many hands make light work. I have placed a ‘thermometer’ poster in the Holy Family Cenacle (updated each Friday) which will mark our progress: both in numbers of parishioners who contribute, and the total dollars pledged. I’ve already made my gift to the Diocesan Annual Appeal - join me in helping us reach our goal. Please continue to pray for the success of the Diocesan Annual Appeal!


May God bless you! Fr. Schaller