As we enter the month of June and begin to wind down the school year, we offer this prayer for your family:

Loving God,
As this school year comes to a close,
we pause to thank You for walking with our family through each day.
Thank You for the learning, the laughter, the challenges, and the growth.
We are grateful for the teachers and staff who guided our children,
and for the strength You gave us to balance the busy days.

Bless our children as they take a break from school routines.
May this summer be a time of rest, renewal, and joyful memories.
Keep our family safe and close to You in all that we do —
whether we’re at home, traveling, or enjoying simple time together.

Help us carry the lessons of this year into every moment:
to be patient, kind, faithful, and always ready to serve one another.
Fill our home with peace, love, and laughter,
and prepare our hearts for the adventures still to come.

We place this season in Your hands, trusting in Your goodness and grace.
Amen.
Chalk and Block: What Every Child Needs to Know About God "BIG BLOCKS TO DESCRIBE A BIG GOD!"
That's the credo of the Chalk & Block Children, a troupe of young believers who want to tell their peers "what every child needs to know about God"!

With chalk in hand and blocks at the ready, these fresh-faced youngsters illuminate minds with beloved Scriptures and winsome melodies. From the award-winning creators behind "The Wonderful World of Benjamin Cello", "Chalk & Block Children" will fill your home with Biblical truth that extols the love of our Creator.

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Explaining Why Going to Mass Every Sunday is Important to Children

Every Sunday, we go to Mass because it’s a very special time to be with Jesus.

Mass is like a big family meal — but instead of just food, we’re fed with something much more amazing: God’s Word and the Body of Christ! Jesus gave us the Mass at the Last Supper and told us to “Do this in memory of Me.” So when we go to Mass, we’re doing exactly what He asked.

Here’s why it’s so important:

• We thank God for all His blessings — just like we say thank you after a good meal or a gift.
• We listen to God’s Word in the Bible, and it helps us learn how to love like Jesus.
• We receive Jesus in the Eucharist, or go up for a blessing if we’re not receiving yet — and that gives us strength to be kind, brave, and good all week long.
• We gather as a parish family — because faith isn’t just something we do alone. We belong to God’s big family, the Church!
• We show our love for God — and we remember how much He loves us, too.

So even if we’re tired or busy, going to Mass each week helps us grow closer to Jesus — and that’s the best thing in the world.
In a world that moves fast, family traditions are sacred pauses—moments where faith and love take root and flourish. Each tradition, no matter how simple, is a chance to pass on our Catholic heritage, draw closer to one another, and make Christ the center of our homes.  

Below Deacon John Sullivan shares one of his family traditions.
Growing up as a young boy, I was blessed to experience the Catholic faith in a very positive and nourishing way from my parents. One particular tradition we had was that my dad would always bless my brothers and myself with holy water on our foreheads before we went to bed each night. It was always a very comforting experience. And he would always bless us at the conclusion of our “bed-time prayers” that we prayed with both my mom and my dad. 

My understanding of the importance of regular prayer was definitely strengthened because of my dad’s blessings, since I could tell he took my spiritual well-being seriously. 

Reflecting back on this tradition in our family, I realize now more clearly how this habit of prayer was an excellent way for my dad to live out his role as the father and spiritual protector of our family. I think that his blessings and prayers not only helped me and my brothers to have a good night sleep, but also later on brought God’s grace into many areas of our lives, whether it was with school or work or relationships. 

The blessing of the Father is very powerful indeed!
-Deacon John
This past Saturday, our parish family came together for a wonderful Day of Service. Over 100 parishioners gathered in the parish hall, united in purpose and faith, to make a meaningful difference both within and beyond our community.

Special thank you to Moira Cristy, Stephanie Muzzy, Anne Comber, and Nancy Hughes for organizing this year’s service day.
There’s something special about gathering in the kitchen—measuring, mixing, and making memories. Whether you’re kneading dough or whipping cream, cooking together is a simple way to share love and pass on family traditions rooted in care and togetherness.
With strawberries in season this month, it’s the perfect time to bring a little summer joy to your table. Skip the store-bought shortcuts and try this easy, from-scratch strawberry shortcake recipe from Sally's Baking Addiction.

Recipe