BBQ 2025 Thank You!

I write this on the day after the conclusion of our annual BBQ.  While my body is tired my spirit is soaring.  
Last Friday, Saturday and Sunday were days of great blessings.   
 
Let me first express my gratitude for all of the people who volunteered to make this such a successful celebration.  
THANK YOU!  And thank God for your goodness and dedication to our parish family!  God knows your generous spir
its and will reward each and every one of you.   
 
We all can be especially grateful for the leadership of the chairs of this years BBQ, Horacio and Graciela Mendez and 
Kelly Suyemoto.  Beginning months ago, they along with Deacon Terry and the captains of the various booths and those in charge of other of the many BBQ activities met and brainstormed and planned and handled thousands of different responsibilities to assure that the BBQ would unfold smoothly.  WELL DONE! 
 
I also want to thank all who participated over these three days.  We had a great turnout.  During these days I saw many smiles and heard much laughter (as well as some screams of delight and fright on the rides).  It did my heart good to see so many people engaged in conversations, enjoying good food and entertainment, dancing, and having the opportunity to renew friendships as well as make new ones.   
 
It will take a number of weeks before all of the bills come in and we can assess the fundraising dimension of these days.  We will make a BBQ financial report in one of our future bulletins. 
 
In todays Second Reading, St. Paul is writing to his spiritual son and dear friend, Timothy.  Paul offers him the advice 
to stir into flame the gift of God that had been showered upon him.  Centuries later, that advice to Timothy is great 
advice for you and me.  In baptism, we were brought into the family of God, made members of the Body of Christ and 
temples of the Holy Spirit.  In baptism, whether we received that sacrament as infants or adults, we were sanctified by Gods amazing grace.  The gift of faith was planted deep within us.  With the apostles in todays gospel passage, let us pray, Lord, increase our faith.   
 
Faith is a gift, but it must be cultivated, nourished by prayer and service.  Like a muscle when it is not exercised, our 
faith can atrophy.  Our Catholic tradition has three prayers related to the three theological virtues, the Acts of Faith, 
Hope and Love.  You will find all three of these prayers in this bulletin.  This week, I especially invite you to pray the 
Act of Faith.  And by all means, use this prayer regularly as well as the Acts of Hope and Love. 
 
Finally, this month of October is a time devoted to our Blessed Mother.  Please see the article included in this bulletin 
devoted to her and to the great devotion of the rosary.   
 
Jesus, who came to serve and not to be served, increase our faith!  Holy Mary, Mother of God and our mother, may we 
follow your example of living faith!   
 
Father Craig