Catholic Schools in Session
Our pastoral region’s school is now in session. We are kicking off another exciting year. This time of year always brings back memories of my own school days. The sacrifices my parents made to send their kids to Catholic schools were sometimes great, but they knew it was worthwhile. There is still a great value in Catholic schools in our area, and I am happy to say our school will have over 260 students attending. We are gearing up for another school year, preparing children for their sacraments and helping them learn and grow in their faith. We have new teachers brimming with excitement about their new classrooms and schoolchildren.
My goal this year is to be in the school more often to watch and also teach some of the classes. I really enjoy seeing the children thrive in our school. I’m blessed to have a principal who believes in strongly upholding a Catholic identity at St. Cecilia School. We will continue to have weekly school Masses, pray the Rosary, and pray the Stations of the Cross during Lent, and also this year, we will add some time of praise and worship during adoration.

Please pray for our schoolchildren, teachers, and families as we embark on another year at St. Cecilia School.

For those families whose children do not attend Catholic school, please look at the parish website for more information on our PREP program for religious education and sacramental preparations. Contact Cody Egner with any questions at cegner@eastsideregion.org. I am also hoping to be more involved in our PREP and EDGE programs this coming school year.
 
Prayer for the Start of the School Year
Dear Lord, 
Bless this journey of a new school year that we undertake today.
Refresh our souls and renew our spirits
as we embrace the beautiful ministry you have called us to.
We welcome those who are new to this community and
ask that you strengthen them to share the wonderful gifts you have given them.
Lord, make our hearts pure as we prepare for the return of students to this school,
and may you guide them to return with open hearts and minds eager to learn.
 
We ask this in your name,
Amen.


Amen? Amen!
Fr. Jamie


Pastor's Ramblings

Twins: Parishioner Ricky Waddell, who came into the Church a few years ago through our RCIA program, and his wife, Yulianna, were married at St. Cecilia last June. On Aug. 24, they were blessed with the birth of their new twin boys. Welcome, parishioners Sebastian and Diego Waddell.
 
USMC Graduate: Johnny Peddicord completed his basic training and is now serving our country. He is reporting for duty in the Marines. Congratulations, Johnny! We will be praying for you and thank you for your service.
 
Grandparents Again: Longtime parishioners Dave and Carolyn Peddicord have a new grandson. That makes four grandsons and eight granddaughters! Their son Donny and daughter-in-law Teresa are parishioners at St. Cecilia and were married at our church. This is their third son. Congratulations on the birth of Anthony Blaise Peddicord.
 
Congratulations! Jeff Vedder and Sarah King celebrated the Sacrament of Marriage on Aug. 12. Let us keep them in our prayers as they start this new journey together.
 
Welcome, Children of God: Welcome to the newly baptized Scarlett Quatkemeyer, daughter of Andrew and Aris Quatkemeyer, and Maura Elizabeth Phillips, daughter of Patrick and Julia Phillips.
 
Moms Group News: Tessa and David Yi announce the birth of their new baby girl, Alora Ruth, born on July 23. She was 7lbs. 8oz. and 20” long. Congratulations!

The interesting exchange between the Canaanite woman, Jesus, and his disciples in today’s Gospel passage reveals a particular truth about our spiritual life. There are various reasons or motives for prayer: adoration, praise, thanksgiving, intercession, and petition, to name a few. A common characteristic of any prayer, regardless of its motive, is persistence. We could well ask ourselves why Jesus didn’t just answer the woman’s request forthright. He seems to ignore her, and the disciples criticize her. Eventually, though, her request that her daughter be healed is fulfilled.

Persistence is necessary in prayer not because God doesn’t always hear us the first time; he does. In fact, Jesus tells us elsewhere in the Gospels, “Your Father knows what you need even before you ask.” So why the repetition of the woman’s request before a response from Jesus? Why is it necessary for her to speak so boldly to the Lord?

Each time we pray we are making an act of faith in the existence of God who loves us. When we turn to the Father, to Jesus, or to the Holy Spirit and ask for the assistance of grace that we need, we strengthen our faith in the personal God who loves us more than we can imagine. Jesus, exclaims, “O woman, great is your faith!” because even with everything that was said and done in her exchange, she still believed that Jesus could help her. Her persistence was for her own sake, not God’s. May the Lord grant us the gift of persistence in prayer, boldness of faith before the God who loves us.