From the Pastor’s Desk
August 15 – The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Bogusz is in the house! You may remember that two seminarians from our Diocese lived several months at OLM rectory when their seminary school closed down during the COVID outbreak. Well, one of them is back to live with at the rectory for a year. Andrew Bogusz graduated from college seminary this past spring. It is not unusual for some of our seminarians take a pastoral year before they continue with their formal education for the priesthood. Our Vocation Director and Andrew discerned that taking a pastoral year would be a benefit to Andrew. During this pastoral year, Andrew is to find full-time employment to become more financially independent. Andrew has computer skills and is completing IT certification, so if you know anyone who would be able to provide him with a job for a year, please contact Andrew at: ht3p1g@outlook.com or 630.853.3676. While working fulltime, Andrew will still be involved in a few ministries such as distributing communion or lecturing. He also plans to be part of our “Consuming Fire” group – our ministry with young adults 18 – 35. OLM has become Andrew’s home, as his parents and siblings moved to Florida over a year ago. We welcome Andrew and support him as he continues to prepare to become a priest.
I am away from the parish this week. Yesterday I was in Nashville, TN to attend the wedding of Deacon Mike & Laurie Plese’s daughter Michelle. She was married at the Cathedral in Nashville, TN. Then August 16 – 19 I will be attending a priest pre-retirement workshop held at St. Meinrad in southern Indiana. This workshop is designed to prepare priests for a variety of new realities when they retire. I will turn 70 in February 2022, and as many of you know, I plan to retire at the end of June 2022. The workshop ends at noon on the 19th. I will drive to Indianapolis and stay overnight, allowing me to visit family and friends before returning in time for our OLM Block Party festivities on August 20, 21, & 22.
Speaking of the Block Party, I hope you are able to come to all or some of the festivities and events. The Diocese of Joliet encouraged all parishes to join the “Reunite in Christ” effort, appoint a task force, and to hold a special event to celebrate the full re-opening of our parishes. I want to thank our task force chaired by Doug McIlvaine and members Fr. James, Deacon Tom Logue, Zara Tan, Phil Zwick, Miroslava Manzanares, and Doug Baier for their brainstorming and coming up with the Block Party idea. Thanks to all who have worked with the task force to make the upcoming Block Party a reality. I look forward to seeing many of you this coming Friday, Saturday, and Sunday! And remember, our party is open to the entire Aurora community, as well as your neighbors and friends! Come, reunite in Christ!
Have a Blessed Week!
Father Don