September 11th

Dear Friends,
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Each year when September 11th rolls around my thoughts turn to that morning in the year 2001 when a series of coordinated terrorist attacks rocked our nation and the world. It launched a military response by our government with effects that continue to impact us. My sense is that the heightened sense of threat to which we have become accustomed will not subside anytime soon. While our military engagement seems to have quieted down for now, it feels like tensions among world powers are heating up. I always hoped I would not witness a big war in my lifetime; these days I’m not so sure. Fueling my concern is the rapid secularization we have seen in Western democracies. To be sure: Christians have been at fault for much savagery and war. But I am convinced that in the past, when Christian faith and discipleship were more pronounced, this helped to keep our worst demons at bay. War among the “religious” is bad enough. What will war among the irreligious be like? May the anniversary of this terrible attack serve to keep us focused on the values of our democracy and the underlying Christian faith required to sustain it. And may the Holy Spirit be with those working for the cause of Peace.
Shifting gears to something fun: Rock the Block makes its comeback next Saturday. I look forward to experiencing this one-day fest after having heard so much about it. More information can be found in this week’s bulletin, on our parish Facebook page, and on the BCA website. Hosted by BCA’s Home and School Association, the event is open to the entire parish.

I want to sincerely thank Mary Kay Sopron for 30+ years of volunteering to launder the Mass linens (purificators, albs, amices, etc) at Saint Gabriel. This has truly been a labor of love for her, but she is ready to “retire” from this ministry. I could not be more grateful to her for all she has done. So… I am putting out a call now to see if anyone might be interested in taking over for her. If so, please check in with me.

May your week reflect the encounter with Christ
we experienced at Mass today!