Lots of excitement in the last few days as our children and youth are coming BACK TO SCHOOL or entering college. Vacation time is over! Also, a great change from last year: teaching will now be in person! With the excitement comes some anxiety about adapting to a new situation and also possible future chang- es/uncertainties. ONE SIMPLE MESSAGE: "BE STRONG, FEAR NOT!” says the LORD to those whose hearts are frightened (through the great prophet ISAIAH: 35:4 in First Reading of this coming Sunday Masses). YES! DO NOT BE AFRAID! Do not be anxious. May all children, youth, parents and teachers have TRUST IN GOD!

Parents and teachers you are the ones to witness that LOVE OF GOD to your children and youth. Recall the powerful words of St Paul to the Philippians: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the PEACE OF GOD, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in CHRIST JESUS" (Philippians 4:6-7).

Parents, you are invite to participate as a family in the many opportunities offered at the parish to help you grow in your relationship with Christ:

Back to Faith Formation (CCD, Youth Ministry, RCIA, Adult Faith Formation)

• Register your children for CCD. We are still looking for a few catechist and aides. Note that the youth who have received Confirmation can also be aides; for more information visit www.olhoc.org/re

• Participate in Youth Ministry (Monthly All Youth Nights, weekly gathering for Life Teen (High School Youth Ministry) and other events; for more information visit www.olhoc.org/ymevents

• CA ( Catechism for all adults ) and RCIA for adults who still need to receive a sacrament join us for classes www.ollhoc.org/rcia

• Adult Faith Formation – new study called Ephesians is starting Sept 12 which will look at several themes: the nature of marriage, the purpose and role of the Church, the preeminence of grace in God’s plan, and the reality of spiritual warfare.

With all parishioners, participate in Celebrating our Parish 41st Anniversary: 11:30 am Outdoor Mass and picnic SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 12! (see information below)

Participate in TENTH Anniversary of Spanish community with Bishop Dorsonville on Sunday afternoon OCTOBER 3rd, including 6 pm Rosary and Eucharistic Procession preceding 7 pm Mass .

I am most grateful to all our staff and volunteers who have been preparing for this new School Year at OLHOC. Special thanks go to Sister Rosario who has been coordinating the Religious Education Program for all our children, to Marlen Coles who has been leading the preparation of all our Youth activities, including the workshops for Confirmation, and to Deacon Rich, Mike Spurgeon and Maria Lam for the Adult Faith Formation and RCIA.

Beginning in mid-October, Emily Vara will take over the full coordination of the Youth Activities while Marlen will continue assisting with Evangelization and Communication. Emily has been an active member of our Youth Core Team and Confirmation Team for the last few years working very closely with Marlen. Emily is also a talented violist, and she has assisted our Youth Choir. We wish all the best to Emily as our new Director for Youth Ministry and Confirmation Coordinator.

Marlen, her husband Andy and their four children are returning to Texas, where most of their families still reside. We will all miss greatly Marlen and her entire family. We will have plenty of opportunities to express our thanks for all their support. Below are excerpts of a letter that Marlen is sending to all her many, many friends at OLHOC (click here to read the entire letter):

"For the past several years I have joyfully served our Lord, the children, youth and community of OLHOC as Director of Youth Ministry and Confirmation Coordinator. After much prayer and discernment, I will no longer be able to serve the parish in this capacity. My husband has been given the opportunity to work from home permanently, which in October is allowing our family to return to Texas, where we are originally from... We at OLHOC are incredibly blessed to have youth who are seeking to grow in knowledge, love and their relationship with Christ. They have so many gifts and talents to share with the parish and are ready to serve others in the community. We also have an incredible team of volunteers who assist in so many ways. Many thanks for the time and sacrifice you continue to provide the youth and the parish, as together we allow ourselves to be instruments for our Lord to help build the Kingdom of God and help lead teens closer to Christ. Many thanks also to Fr. Alain, the many parochial vicars, and the staff I have served with who have been very supportive during my time at the parish. Our Lord and Blessed Mother always provide. I am fully supporting Fr Alain' selection of Emily Vara to replace me as the Youth Director (see above announcement). I will serve the parish in a different way as Fr. Alain has asked me to continue virtually to support the Parish efforts in Evangelization and Communication. I look forward to serving the parish in this new role."

As we all embark together on this New School and Faith Formation Year, let us pray together that God will continue to protect all our children, Youth, Teachers, Volunteers, Parents! May we all be faithful disciples of Our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the only ONE who can provide us LASTING JOY, PEACE and LOVE! MAY WE ALL BE ONE when we participate in the Greatest Miracle on earth at every Mass: THE EUCHARIST! May we be evangelizers inviting others to join us at Mass: HEAVEN ON EARTH!

One in Christ,


Fr. Alain