It has been an interesting and at times stressful ten days but today we can count our blessings and pray for those who took the brunt of Irma’s fury.  It is good that we can try to get back to a sense of normalcy.
 
So, our PREP (Parish Religious Education Program) begins a new 6-week session this weekend.  The focus of our program during the coming weeks will be on the first disciple, Mary, the Mother of God.   Susan Weber, our PREP Coordinator noted that this past May the Catholic Church celebrated the 100-year anniversary of the Marian apparitions at Fatima, Portugal, witnessed by three shepherd children who reported that they saw visions of Mary beginning on May 13, 1917.   This 100-year anniversary of the apparitions is a reminder of the central message of the Gospels, calling everyone to conversion and bringing us closer to Christ.  That is always Mary’s mission – to lead us closer to Jesus.
 
Pope Francis points us to Mary as an ongoing guide to living a merciful life. Mary is the Mother of Mercy "because her entire life was patterned after the presence of mercy made flesh" (Misericordiae Vultus No. 24). From her "yes" to the angel Gabriel at the Annunciation, to a lifetime of discipleship, to her presence at the foot of the cross, Mary is our model in following Jesus in mercy and love.
   
When someone asked Jesus, “Where do you live?” He responded, “Come and See!” - Jesus said, “Come and See” to Andrew, Peter, and the saints of old - and to you! This invitation takes many forms today, and maybe this one is directed at you. Each year many people decide to become Catholic. Some join because their spouses or fiancés are Catholic; others love the rich traditions and rites of our Church, still others have been inspired by the lives of their friends or co-workers who are examples of living out the teachings of Jesus Christ. The way that people come into the Catholic Church is through a process called the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA).
   
One of my best friends, Fr. Dave Arnoldt, will is filling in for me this weekend.  He moved to Augusta from Evans, GA to be closer to me.  So, he was not very happy with my move to the Beach.  I’ve told him how good you are to me and I’ve no doubt that you’ll give him the same warm welcome that you’ve given to me.  Invite him to join you for a meal.  Fr. Dave is the priest from whom I stole the Blessing that we use at the end of Mass.
I’ll be in Philly for the wedding of Trish Ragan to Ryan Brown at St. Charles Church in south Philly.  Trish is the fifth daughter and sixth child of Dan and Jane Ragan.  My brother Dan died in 2006, so this will be a little bittersweet, but not for Ryan.  He never had to endure any grilling from my brother who was wickedly protective of his baby girl, Trish the Dish.
Next weekend we will welcome a missionary priest from the Missionhurst Community of Priests and Brothers for the annual Mission Cooperative Appeal.   I know you’ll be generous to his appeal and also to the special collection to help those who are suffering loss due to Irma and Harvey.
 
Fr. Jerry Ragan