News

Pastor’s Letter: Happy Happenings

Dear Parishioners,

With great joy I share happy news, along with sincere appreciation, for God’s blessings on Our Lady of the Wayside Parish.  We have had a busy and fruitful week!

I would like to begin by thanking Joe Farwell and our CFM Ministry volunteers for generously donating their time and talent by working an entire Saturday to give our church campus and gathering space courtyard a much-needed “refresh.” They pulled weeds, spread mulch, trimmed trees and bushes, planted flowers, and power-washed patio bricks. I am also happy to announce that our courtyard fountain works once again!  Everything looks great, and it is my hope that this update renews joy in the hearts of our faithful. To view more church grounds refresh photos, click here.

Before and after all masses last weekend, 131 parishioners, Bishop Rassas, and I received the flu shot in our parish center. The numbers exceeded last year’s “pre-COVID” turnout by a fair margin. I would like to express my gratitude to Kathy O’Neill, our Coordinator of Pastoral Healthcare, and her volunteer team for planning and implementing safe social distancing and COVID protocols and to Walgreens Pharmacy for providing the flu shots.  To view more flu shot photos, click here.

Our Operations Director has officially started her new position at Our Lady of the Wayside Parish.  Before reporting for work last Monday morning, Mrs. Ewelina Sokolowski, Deacon Peter LeTourneau, and Mr. Sean Reilly attended Mass, after which I blessed them. It is exciting to welcome Mrs. Sokolowski to our growing parish staff who are working diligently and collaboratively to ensure a bright future for our parish.  The Holy Spirit shines His light on Our Lady of the Wayside.

And finally, October is traditionally known as the Month of Our Lady of the Rosary. Lucia, one of the visionaries at Fatima once said in an interview: “[The Most Holy Virgin] has given this efficacy to such an extent that there is no problem, no matter how difficult it is, whether temporal or above all spiritual, in the personal life of each one of us, of our families, of the families in the world, or of the religious communities, or even of the life of peoples and nations that cannot be solved by the Rosary. There is no problem, I tell you, no matter how difficult it is, that we cannot solve by the prayer of the Holy Rosary. With the Holy Rosary, we will save ourselves.” As you are all aware, we are experiencing a very turbulent and uncertain time in our nation and families. During this beautiful month, I would like to invite all parishioners and their families to pray the Rosary every day, asking Our Mother Mary to intercede for our families, our parish school, and our country. We also pray the Rosary every Monday evening in the parish parking lot at 7:00 PM. All are invited and welcome to come and join us for this peaceful time of prayer and reflection!  To view more Monday Night Rosary Ministry photos, click here.

Holy Mother, Our Lady of the Wayside, pray for us!

Yours in Christ,

Fr. Arthur,
Pastor