There’s no way around it. We have a number of things going on these last weeks of summer. They’re all important. They all deserve some attention on this page. I’ll try to give each of them space in the bulletin these next few weekends.

First, it’s Little League. That’s a time to be especially attentive to how we welcome people. Don’t think for a moment this is just a St Lawrence Church thing. Fans and teams have always shown up at any and all of our parishes in Lycoming County. We routinely had Little League people come to Resurrection for Mass—because they were staying in that area (or because it was on the way from their lodgings in Lewisburg!) or the Mass time really fit them well. Be aware of the folks we don’t recognize. Pull away from our conversations with the family and friends we see every week—welcome the stranger!

Then, it’s the Parish Carnival. You know we need help. Please step forward. You’re given an opportunity to, once again, welcome people on our premises. We don’t just want their money—we want them to feel the Catholic Church is a good place to be!

Then, there are the money things! (Yes, I know the Carnival is a fundraising event! So it does count among the “money things

Last Saturday’s Sun-Gazette reminded us that we had reached the one-year anniversary for Tropical Storm Debbie— that nasty rain event that so damaged our pipe organ. After months of research and consultation, we actually have a plan moving forward for rebuilding that beautiful instrument.

And we need to talk about our parish Capital Campaign— something we’ve intended to do to provide funding for needed improvements in our parish buildings. It’s somewhat linked to St Boniface Church’s 50th Anniversary and the pipe organ project, but all our parish buildings and programs will benefit.

Along with that, we’ll take a look at how we’ll manage the Catholic Ministries Appeal this year. We know it’s another ask, but we don’t want to forget the wider Church needs—for Catholic education, formation of priests, service to the poor—while we address our parish issues.

That’s just a brief preview—stay tuned for more!