Message from Msgr. Schwanger
My Dear Family of Our Lady of Lourdes,
This week opens our on-site Christian Formation classes for the new school year. Our Christian Formation Program prepares a person for full initiation into the Catholic Church and a rich and active lifetime in the Church. It encompasses the preparation of adults and children for full initiation into the Catholic Church, the preparation of families for the baptism of their children, and the preparation of those who have been baptized to receive their First Communion and Confirmation.
The formation and education that we provide at Our Lady of Lourdes builds on the foundation that our parents have built and continue to build as active Catholic families. Gathering to worship our Lord at Mass on Sunday is as natural as breathing in and breathing out. It is the source and summit of all that we do. Particular, perhaps, to who we are as parishioners of Our Lady of Lourdes is that we express our unity in faith by making a Holy Hour each week in the Adoration Chapel, by joining the parish family in the total consecration of ourselves to Jesus through Mary, by contributing 10% of our income to the support of the parish, and by serving in one of our parish groups or ministries.
The Christian Formation team at Our Lady of Lourdes includes the clergy of the parish, our Coordinator of Christian Formation and her assistants, and our Coordinator of Youth Ministry and his team. Our exceptional team of Catechists works within both the Christian Formation and Youth ministries.
If you would like to prepare for your Baptism, Confirmation, or First Communion this year, it is not too late! We have informational booklets about each of our programs in the media racks of the church and parish office that include the form to request preparation. We are honored to provide Christian formation and education in a manner that affirms each person’s dignity as a child of God and together to respond to God’s love and life in Christ Jesus.
Congratulations to all and blessings for the new year!
Msgr. Schwanger
Pastor