Dear Friends in Christ,
Last weekend we enjoyed a wonderful Community Celebration BBQ with food, fun and fellowship (click here for photos). Many commented that they were grateful for the opportunity to get together and visit with others they do not see on a regular basis. Thank you to all who helped plan and participate in this celebration. I look forward to hosting more community events in the future and am open to your ideas. Annunciation Catholic Church has always been a special place because of the wonderful people that worship and support our parish community.
Tomorrow evening (Monday, July 2 at 7pm) we are sponsoring a special presentation in honor of the Fortnight for Freedom. Click here to go to the Fortnight page. Dean Mathew Staver is a radio host and nationally recognized speaker on the topic of religious liberty. All are invited to attend as I know that his presentation will be informative and inspirational. The Fortnight for Freedom was designated as a time of prayer, education and action. I also invite you to visit the Church on Wednesday, July 4 for Mass(7am or 12:15pm) or to spend some time before the Lord in Eucharistic Adoration from 7:30am until 12 noon. Please pray for our country and for her leaders, that we can truly be dedicated to being ‘one nation under God’. Church bells will be rung at noon on the Fourth of July as a sign of our solidarity and call to prayer and action.
Next weekend we are participating in the Mission Co-Op for our Diocese of Orlando Propagation of the Faith. Fr. Joseph Uhen will be with us to speak about his experience as a missionary in Peru. It is always enriching to hear about the growth of the Catholic Church in other parts of the world.
If you are traveling during these weeks of summer, I hope that you have a safe journey and a restful vacation. Don’t forget to bring a bulletin back from parishes that you visit! Know that your Priests are always grateful for your prayers. We make a commitment also to pray for you, your loved ones and your intentions. We may not see each other each day but may we meet each day in our prayers!
In Christ,
Very Rev. Stephen D. Parkes, V.F.
Pastor