FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK
Dear Parishioners,
May 23, 2025, school was out. Summer began with all its fun, relaxation, and perhaps even vacation. August 14, 2025 school start-ed and this past week public schools are back in session. Where did the summer go? It seems like only yesterday that school was let-ting out for the summer, and now we have begun the 2025-2026 school year. Where does the time go? As I get older it seems to go even faster. As I have said before, this year is going to take patience on the part of each of us with the construction happening on our doorstep. That area of life which will effect each of us, myself included are the carline and parking for masses.
Each grade level comes with its own challenges for parents, students, and teachers. The Second grade is the year of preparation and reception of the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist. Please work with your children at home and the St. Agnes grade school and PSR will do our part. In the eighth grade and above we will prepare our young people for the Sacrament of Confirmation. Thus these two class levels are extremely important years of our young people’s faith growth.
I urge parents to not forget their children’s spiritual life–the most important part of educating a child. All outside activities need to be balanced. The best way to keep families together and our young people strong, is to keep God in the picture always. Do not wait until a crisis comes into your family’s life. Come to church regularly on Sunday, and pray together as a family. Work your spiritual life and language into everyday conversation. School whether parochial or public brings new opportunities for parents to teach their young people respect, service, and to take responsibility for their actions.
Parents who always come running to straighten situations out for their children are missing good teachable moments. Don’t pass up an opportunity to give your young people practice in figuring things out for themselves while they are still young. Many times in our fast-paced world it is tempting to do things that kids should do for themselves. It’s quicker and we are pressed for time. No parent wants to see their child in trouble, but children need to learn that poor choices bring consequences that sometimes are not pleasant. There are many ordinary opportunities to explain to young people that just because their friends are allowed to do something, doesn’t mean that they should also. The sooner parents become parents, rather than their child’s best friend, the more respect their child will have for them. They have best friends. They need parents who will teach, guide, set limits, and provide discipline. All of this will help them deal with peer pressure today. To say no to different types of addictive behaviors, hard-to-deal-with bosses in the future, and to be able to follow rules and laws.
I pray for all administrators, teachers and students as we begin this new school year.