Next weekend we welcome Fr. George Knab, OMI who will be leading our parish Mission from August 11-14. This is intended to be a time of spiritual refreshment to prepare us spiritually for our patronal Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on August 15. Each morning after the 8:30 a.m. Mass, Father will give a talk in the Fellowship Room followed by refreshments. Each evening at 7:00 p.m. there will be services on Marian themes with the praying of the Rosary. On Monday evening, there will be opportunities for individual healing prayers, on Wednesday evening, opportunity for Confession, and on Thursday evening, the Mass of the Vigil of the Assumption and the conclusion of the mission with the bestowal of the plenary indulgence. THIS MASS TAKES THE PLACE OF THE USUAL 4:00 MASS ON THE EVE OF A HOLYDAY.

PLEASE NOTE THIS! ALSO I ASK THAT NO OTHER ACTIVITIES TAKE PLACE DURING THE TIME OF THE MISSION. EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO REAP THE FRUITS OF THE SPIRITUALLY FRUITFUL TIME. IT IS MY SINCERE HOPE TO SEE AS MANY OF YOU THERE AS POSSIBLE.

As I write this column, I notice that there is just a week before our parish picnic. Behind the scenes, much is being done in preparation for this great event. I sure hope to see all of you there at some time during the festivities that celebrate us as a parish family. Mary in her glorious Assumption has been so good to us and, as is traditional, we will pay her our tribute to begin the picnic festivities. We will begin by processing with the image of the Blessed Virgin at 11:15 a.m. on Sunday morning August 10th. Mass will begin at 11:30 a.m. During Mass, the blessing of flowers will take place. We ask you to bring fresh flowers to Mass this day to carry in procession and place at the Virgin Mary's feet during the length of the picnic. We sincerely thank all those who are working so hard to make this event successful as well as those who made donations to help defray the cost of the picnic May God will bless our efforts at celebrating the protection of Mary that we enjoy as a parish. Thank you for all you do for Assumption.