Dear Fellow Parishioners, We are a sacramental church, and a sacramental people. As some of you may remember from the Baltimore Catechism, “Sacraments are outward signs instituted by Christ to give grace.” How wonderful it is to celebrate Baptisms throughout the year, and as our young people are welcomed to the “table of the bread” celebrating their First Eucharist. The support of the community is so very necessary for our young people and their families. The Church teaches that all sacraments of initiation (Baptism, First Eucharist and Confirmation) are to be celebrated in the presence of the faith community. Our affirmation and encouragement in receiving the grace of the sacraments means a great deal. At the same time, it reminds us of the special graces we receive when we are members of a faith community. Two members of our community will be celebrating the Sacrament of Matrimony this month. I ask your prayers for Maureen Hodgens and Stephen Foley as they celebrate their wedding on Saturday June 22nd at St. Joseph’s Chapel at The College of the Holy Cross. So, Fr. Jim Lyons will be here in my place for confessions and Mass on that Saturday. I ask your prayers for Maureen and Stephen as we seek God’s blessings on their commitment to each other in the presence of family and friends, inviting Christ into their marriage commitment. On Sunday June 30th my grand-niece Lauren Konicki and her fiancé Evan Grasser will be celebrating their wedding at St. Catherine of Siena in Manchester New Hampshire. I celebrated her parent’s wedding 36 years ago, and her sister Erin’s wedding 5 years ago. So as a family we are all ready to raise them up in prayer and to party-hardy and dance the night away. I ask your prayers for Lauren and Evan as they receive the Sacrament of Matrimony, and welcome Fr. Jim Lyons for the weekend that I will be gone. Yes, we are a Sacramental church and a sacramental people. May God’s grace give us all the energy we need to live out our faith commitments each and every day! Happy Father’s Day week to all! Fr. Bill