FROM THE DESK OF THE PASTOR

 September 11, 2025

Dear friends in Christ,

As I write to you, it is September 11, the 25^th Anniversary of the attack on the World Trade Center in New York. It is a day to remember all the victims of that act, the heroic first responders, all those who lost loved ones, and all those who helped pick up the pieces, rebuild and heal afterwards. It is a day to pray for an end to terrorisms and for peace of Christ.  A few years afterward, when Benedict visited ground zero and offered this prayer. I invite us to offer it again this day:

God of love, compassion, and healing,

look on us, people of many different faiths and traditions, who gather today at this site, the scene of incredible violence and pain.

We ask you in your goodness to give eternal light and peace to all who died here— the heroic first-responders: our fire fighters, police officers, emergency service workers, and Port Authority personnel, along with all the innocent men and women who were victims of this tragedy simply because their work or service brought them here on September 11, 2001.

We ask you, in your compassion to bring healing

to those who, because of their presence here that day,

suffer from injuries and illness. Heal, too, the pain of still-grieving families and all who lost loved ones in this tragedy. Give them strength to continue their lives with courage and hope.

We are mindful as well of those who suffered death, injury, and loss on the same day at the Pentagon and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Our hearts are one with theirs

as our prayer embraces their pain and suffering.

God of peace, bring your peace to our violent world:

peace in the hearts of all men and women

and peace among the nations of the earth.

Turn to your way of love those whose hearts and minds

are consumed with hatred.

God of understanding, overwhelmed by the magnitude of this tragedy, we seek your light and guidance

as we confront such terrible events.

Grant that those whose lives were spared

may live so that the lives lost here may not have been lost in vain. Comfort and console us, strengthen us in hope,

and give us the wisdom and courage to work tirelessly for a world where true peace and love reign

among nations and in the hearts of all. AMEN.

Please plan on joining us for several special celebrations this weekend in our parishes. They are wonderful ways to celebrate our faith, get to know one another and knit together our parishes:

We have many great events happening this weekend at all three churches. Please be sure to join us!

AT ST. ANTHONY IN CARNATION, SATURDAY NIGHT SEPTEMBER 12 AFTER THE 5 PM MASS, PLEASE JOIN US FOR A WONDERFUL POTLUCK AND THE KICK OFF OF OUR PARTNERS IN THE GOSPEL LISTENING SESSIONS. These listening sessions are an opportunity for food to share the share the history, gifts, ministries of our churches as well us explore the opportunities and challenges we face as we plan to come together. Please see the insert in this week’s bulletin for upcoming listening sessions. Also please be sure to take part in the parish family survey. It closes Monday, September 14.

AT HOLY INNOCENTS IN DUVALL SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 12 IS OUR ANNUAL BINGO NIGHT AND SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 IS OUR PARISH PICNIC

Saturday night September 12th, on the eve the picnic, join us for our annual bingo night from 6-8pm. There is food, fun, and prizes, and always a great time had by all!

Sunday September 13th from 11:30-2:30 pm. As we come back from Summer this is a great time to get reacquainted with old friends and meet new ones. We have had many new families join the parish over this past year’s and this is such a great way to come together and strengthen the bonds of faith and fellowship among us. It’s a community pot-luck so bring something to share. The Knights of Columbus will be providing their famous BBQ including hamburgers and hotdogs. Come and enjoy a really fun afternoon.

AT ST. JUDE IN REDMOND, SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 13 AT 10:30 AM WE CELEBRATE THE BIRTH OF MARY, OUR LADY OF VALINKANNI AND ALL THE WAYS BLESSED VIRGIN MARY HAS MANIFESTED HERSELF ACROSS THE WORLD AS THE MOTHER OF GOD AND OUR MOTHER.

Our Lady of Vailankanni celebrations will begin on Sunday at 10:30 AM in the lower parking lot at with a procession and rosary. All will be invited to process singing and following the statue into the Church. The procession will include images of Mary from around the world from the various different cultures represented in at St. Jude. It will be a celebration of the universality of our Catholic faith and love of the Blessed Mother. Then the rosary will be led in different languages. At 11 am the Mass will begin and it will be followed by a meal downstairs in the parish all.  Please join us in asking the Blessed Mother’s protection and healing upon our families and our parish. 

Many thanks to all who are working so hard to prepare these celebrations. Come and pitch in too! Many hands make light work. Let us pray together, get to know one another, and celebrate our shared Catholic faith.

Blessings on your week!

Fr Johnson