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We warmly welcome Fr. Casimir to Holy Cross this weekend as part of our cooperation with the Diocese of Greensburg Mission Appeal Cooperative.

Last weekend the tradition of the Holy Cross Festival continued in grand style. The weather was perfect, the crowds were huge and a good time was had by all. I wish to say "thank you" to all who worked hard in preparing the festival and those who worked in the many different areas of the Festival. A special "thank you" to the festival committee for another year of great dedication and hard work coordinating all the events for the festival. With everyone’s hard work and effort and God leading us, the festival would not have been the great success that it was! May the tradition continue in 2012!

Tuesday is the Feast of St. Vincent de Paul, patron saint of charities. He is renowned for his compassion and generosity. Thank you for your contributions throughout the year in helping those in need in our local community.

Thursday is the Feast of the Archangels: Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. Michael is the protector of police officers. Gabriel, patron of postal workers and ambassadors, delivers divine messages to those who listen to God’s word and keep it. Raphael, guardian of the blind and of teenagers, is the companion we seek in the confusing times of our lives. Don’t leave home without your guardian angel.

Our Psalm response this week, "Your ways, O Lord, make known to me," encourages us to ask God to teach us and guide us to God’s truth.

Six rings are great but 7 would be heaven... Go Steelers!

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Our celebration at Mass this weekend reminds us of God’s lavish and generous love. As we celebrate our annual parish festival this weekend, a big "thank you" to all who are sharing their generosity through their time, talent and treasure!

The first words of today’s first reading are “Seek the Lord while he may be found, call on him while he is near.” In the proclamation of the sacred word we find the Lord, whose justice and compassion reach out to all. Today’s gospel reminds us that it is never too late to seek God’s mercy. As the sacred word is proclaimed, let us pray that God’s mercy will reach even the hardest hearts.

Next weekend we will welcome Fr. Casimir from the Holy Ghost Fathers who will be here as part of the Diocese of Greensburg Mission Appeal. Also next weekend we will kick off our Faith Formation year. All are asked to meet in the church at 9:00 AM for a special blessing to begin the new year.

This Wednesday is the Feast of St. Matthew the Apostle. Matthew left his customs work when Jesus called him. What might we need to leave behind to follow Jesus today?

Wednesday is also the International Day of Peace. How will you celebrate, share the spirit of peace?

Our Responsorial Psalm this week, "The Lord is near to all who call upon him," reminds us that our gracious Lord is only a prayer away.

Six rings are great but 7 would be heaven ... Go Steelers!

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We gather this weekend very much mindful that it has been ten years since that terrible day when the Twin Towers fell in New York, a plane crashed in western Pennsylvania, and yet another jet breached the walls of the Pentagon in Washington, DC. Recalling that devastation and loss of life, today’s lesson of forgiveness is challenging indeed. Let us pray for the courage and strength to meet the challenge. On this National Day of Mourning and Remembrance: We Remember, We Celebrate and We Believe. God Bless America!

This Wednesday is the Feast Day of Holy Cross Church, the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. “The cross has set free all who were slaves of sin. It has redeemed all humanity.” We celebrate our Feast Day each year with a festival: the Holy Cross Festival. Yes, next weekend is our festival. Your help is greatly needed with set-up this week, with working the festival on Saturday and Sunday as well as inviting your family and friends to stop over and enjoy the food and entertainment... and to watch the Steeler game in the Black and Gold Szone. Please pray for nice weather!

Today is Grandparents Day ... if it were not for our grandparents, where would some of us be? If it were not for their sacrifices, where would some of us have landed? And so, let's pray for all of our grandparents (Big Mama & Paw-Paw, Memaw & Pop Pop, Grams & Poppie, Nanna & Grandpa).

Our Responsorial Psalm this weekend, "The Lord is kind, merciful, and rich in compassion," reminds us to be thankful that God’s mercy and kindness are limitless.

Six rings are great but 7 would be heaven ... GO STEELERS!

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Happy Labor Day weekend! They say it’s the end of summer, but it’s my favorite time of year: autumn and football! On this Labor Day weekend, we gather to praise and thank God even as we remember with gratitude all who work to make it possible for us to live the way that we do. In today’s scriptures we hear of the importance of using the appropriate processes to address grievances and determine responsibilities. As we celebrate this final summer holiday let us keep in mind these lessons in justice and pray to be able to apply them to the working world around us.

Printed materials have been placed on our vehicles (including mine) throughout the summer by Fr. Bernie Survil. Please note that these messages are not from me or a reflection of Holy Cross Church. Fr. Survil makes his way through the area on Sunday mornings and it is hard to stop him. So, I apologize for my brother priest for placing these printed materials on our vehicles.

This Thursday, September 8, is the Feast of the Nativity (Birth) of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Pope Benedict XVI said, “Mary’s birth constitutes a fundamental stage for the Family of Nazareth, cradle of our redemption, an event that touches all of us, because every gift that God has given her, the Mother, God has given thinking also of each one of us, her children.”

Faith Formation classes will begin on Sunday, September 25. Registration forms are available at the entrances to the church and online. Parents are reminded of their responsibility of making sure your child is trained in the practice of the faith. New to Faith Formation this year will be Sunday Morning Chat for youth in grades 7-12. More information to follow.

Our Responsorial Psalm this week, "If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts..." reminds us to open our hearts and pay attention to God’s presence in the world all around us.

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Well, it's "Back To School" Weekend. Best wishes to all who are returning to school this week. These words from Psalm 25 may be your prayer for the school year: "Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me."

As we listen and reflect on our readings this weekend, I think we are being called to "Be a Fool for God." Prophets sometimes complain that their job description is too demanding. But one of the strangest of these laments is that of Jeremiah who claimed that God had tricked him into his vocation! “You duped me, O Lord, and I let myself be duped!” or as another translation says – perhaps even more poignantly - “You seduced me!” And when the prophet tries to ignore his calling, it burns inside him until it succeeds in bursting forth to do the work for which it was sent. While we may not rank with a biblical prophet, each of us does have a vocation to speak and act with compassion, justice and tolerance when anyone is deprived of these basic dignities.

Monday is the Feast of the Martyrdom of John the Baptist. It is a feast to remind us that we are to prepare the way for peace in our lives. The Palestinian city of Nablus is an important hub of urban life in the West Bank. If ancient tradition is to be believed, it is also the burial place of John the Baptist. Mention of his relics being honored there dates to the fourth century. Today the revered tomb is housed in the Nabi Yahya Mosque, or "John the Baptist Mosque." So it is that one of Christianity’s most revered prophets and saints occupies a special place of respect in the Islamic world. Perhaps John has not stopped proclaiming a prophetic message. If he has earned the respect of Muslims as well as Christians, surely we can follow his example today in these troubled times for interfaith relations. Be a voice for peace and toleration!

Faith formation classes will begin on Sunday, September 25. Registration forms are available at the church entrances and online. Parents are reminded of their responsibility of making sure your child is trained in the practice of the faith. New to Faith Formation this year will be Sunday Morning Chat for youth in grades 7-12. More information to follow!

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Certain questions change lives, depending on our answer: “Do you take this person to be your husband/wife?” ... “Do you want this job?” ... “Can you forgive me?” The question Jesus asks today, “Who do you say that I am?”, is one that certainly changes lives. Our response is not simply an academic exercise, a matter of knowing the right answer we learned from a book. Our answer must lead to a commitment that is to be lived out each day of our lives. His question asks for a response of mind, heart and spirit. It may well be the most important question in our lives.

The Ministry of Care will meet on Monday, August 22 at 6:30 PM in the Church Hall. All current members of this ministry and anyone who has an interest in joining this ministry is invited to attend. The Ministry of Care is involved in a wide variety of issues: visiting homebound and nursing home residents, welcoming new members to our parish, All Souls Day Liturgy, Christmas Angel Tree Project, etc. If you have in interest in joining the Ministry of Care, please attend the meeting this coming Monday.

Back-to-school shopping is in full gear as classes will begin next week. So, we will extend a Back-To-School Blessing upon all who are returning to school next weekend.

Next weekend we will celebrate the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick following the 8:00 AM Mass.

This Tuesday is the memorial of Saint Rose of Lima. St. Rose Parish in Derry Township is my home parish. Born to Spanish immigrants in Lima, Peru, while still young Rose began a rigorous life of prayer and penance, subjecting her body to austerities as well as deprivation of food and sleep. She joined the Third Order of St. Dominic and lived in a hut in her parents garden, working to help support them and helping the poor and the sick in a makeshift infirmary. While ill for the last three years of her life, she was cared for in the house of a government official and his wife. She was the first canonized saint for the “New World” (1671). Like her, let us pray, “Lord, increase your love in my heart.”

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As mentioned at Mass last weekend, Bishop Brandt named me Chaplain and Instructor of Religion at Greensburg Central Catholic Junior High and High School while remaining Pastor of Holy Cross Church. The assignment took effect this past Wednesday, August 10. Please pray for me as I balance being Pastor and Chaplain.

This coming Thursday, August 18, will mark my one-year anniversary as Pastor of Holy Cross Church. It has been an incredible year, that included reception of the Precious Blood during Holy Communion, the First Annual Fr. Straub Service Award celebration, New Year's Blessing over the local communities, the Tree of Hope, Lenten Family Day, Youth Group Activities, installation of the stained glass windows, and renovation of the interior of the church. There are many to thank, you know who you are. Thanks! There are many I befriended, you know who you are. I love you! And yes, there are some who think I have failed, you know who you are. Peace! May year 2 be filled with many prayerful experiences.

Monday, August 15 is the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the patroness of the Diocese of Greensburg. Because it falls on a Monday it is not a holy day of obligation, but we do pray as people of the Diocese of Greensburg to realize, as Mary did, the great blessings we receive from the Lord. May we see in Mary’s assumption into heaven a sign of our promised glory!

Jesus had a weak spot for the downtrodden, as we hear in this weekend's Gospel. He was always on the lookout to bring a word of hope and healing to persons who were struggling. We continue Jesus’ mission by opening our doors too and seeking out people who could use a helping hand. Consider ways that you can help extend a word of hope and healing to a stranger.

Things to look forward to:

• Back to School Blessing, weekend of August 27/28
• Youth ministry (grades 7-12) kickoff, TBA
• Parish Festival, September 17 & 18
• First Day of Religious Faith Formation for Children, Teens and Adults, September 25.