From the Desk of the Pastor

Family Life Catechesis Registration Is Now Open!

Dear Parish Families,
I am excited to announce that registration is now open for the third year of our Family Life Catechesis Program for children in Pre-K through Grade 6!

Over the past two years, we have been blessed to watch this approach to Faith Formation take deeper root within our parish, bringing parents and children together to encounter Jesus Christ and grow in the beauty of our Catholic faith.

Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Saturday, August 15, 2026 - 11:00am

On Saturday, August 15, the Parish celebrates the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, commemorating the Blessed Virgin Mary's being assumed body and soul into heavenly glory. Although the obligation to participate in Mass is abrogated (that is, the Parish does not require Catholics to attend Mass this year because the solemnity falls on a Saturday in the United States), all of the faithful are warmly encouraged to celebrate this great Marian feast by participating in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

This year, our parish will mark the Solemnity of the Assumption during our Annual Parish Pilgrimage to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Martyrs in Auriesville. Father Hage will celebrate the 11:00 AM Solemnity Mass in the Coliseum, and everyone is warmly invited to attend. Even if you are unable to participate in the full pilgrimage, please consider making the trip to Auriesville for Mass as we honor Our Blessed Mother at one of the most sacred Catholic shrines in New York State.

National Shrine of Our Lady of Martyrs
Auriesville, NY

Retirement Fund for the Religious

The special collection for the weekend of August 15/16 will be for the Retirement Fund for the Religious.

In 1988, Catholic bishops of the United States launched the Retirement Fund for Religious collection to address the profound deficiency in the retirement savings among US religious congregations. The annual appeal is taken up each Fall in most US Catholic parishes and helps hundreds of religious communities of senior members. Tens of thousands of elderly Catholic sisters and brothers benefit from this fund.

Thank you for the continued support of this mission. God Bless all of you.

A Warm Welcome to Sister Helen Ann!

This weekend, Mary, Mother of Our Savior Parish is pleased to welcome Sister Helen Ann of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM), who joins us as this year's Pontifical Missions speaker.

Sister Helen Ann will share with us the story of the IHM Sisters' missionary work in Peru, where the sisters serve some of the poorest and most remote communities through education, healthcare, religious formation, sacramental preparation, pastoral outreach, and assistance with basic needs. Your generosity can make a real difference.

Gifts to this year's Pontifical Mission Appeal help sustain the sisters who carry out this work and enable their ministries to continue. Your support helps them travel to isolated communities to provide religious education and pastoral care, distribute food, materials, and essential supplies to families in need, and maintain a boarding home for girls from remote mountain villages so they can attend high school an opportunity many would otherwise not have.

Through our prayers and financial support, we become partners in their mission, helping the love of Christ reach people thousands of miles from our own parish.

Please join us in giving Sister Helen Ann a warm Mary, Mother of Our Savior welcome, and thank you in advance for your prayerful and generous support of this year's Pontifical Mission Appeal!

Annual Parish Bazaar

Labor Day Weekend: Wednesday, September 3, 4 & 5, 2026

A favorite parish tradition returns! Mark your calendar now and plan to join us for one of the biggest community events of the year.

Great food for everyone • Games & prizes for all ages • Basket Raffle • Trinkets and Treasures • Live music & entertainment • Fellowship & community • Family Fun • Carnival rides for kids

Trinkets & Treasures

Your gently used items become treasures for someone else. We gladly accept: household items, home décor, kitchenware, toys & games, small furniture, holiday decorations, books (excluding textbooks).

Please do not bring: Clothing (including shoes and hats), textbooks, obsolete computers or electronics, broken items.

Drop-off dates: Tuesday, August 18, from 6:00 to 7:30 PM at Lourdes Campus Garage Entrance.

Thank you for helping make our Bazaar a success!

Basket Raffle

It's Bazaar time again! Once again we will be accepting donations for the basket raffle. So many beautiful baskets have been donated over the years and for that we are so grateful!

We gratefully welcome donations of: Gift baskets, Gift cards, Themed baskets, Sports baskets, Children's baskets, Homemade specialty baskets, Family activity baskets... and more!

Drop-off dates: Seton Center or Notre Dame Catholic Schools, from Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM - 12:00 Noon

Volunteers needed!

Many hands make our bazaar a success! There are many opportunities to volunteer before and during the bazaar. Share your time and talents and be part of something wonderful!

Sign up today! Visit our online volunteer sign-up page to choose your shifts and be part of the fun!

Faith Formation Registration

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me." - Luke 4:18

Inspired by the Gospel and the witness of Saint Francis of Assisi as we celebrate the Year of Saint Francis.

Family Life Catechesis is a new model of faith formation that recognizes parents as the primary teachers of the faith. We partner with you equipping, encouraging, and supporting your family as you grow together in love of Jesus and His Church.

For children in Pre-K through 6th Grade. All are welcome!

Our First Gathering is on Catechetical Sunday!
Sunday, September 20, 2026 from 9:15am - 10:15am at Notre Dame Elementary School.

Spots fill up—don't wait! Give your family the gift of faith that lasts forever.

A partnership that strengthens your family

We meet twice a month at parish as a family to pray, learn, and grow together.

Simple lessons and activities at home help reinforce what we learn together as a family in a way that fits your real life!

Why it matters:

• Faith begins at home.
  The home is the first place where a child learns to know, love, and follow Jesus.
• Parents make the difference.
  You are your child's first and most important teacher of the faith.
• A strong parish, strong families.
  When families grow together, our whole parish becomes stronger in discipleship and love.

What you can expect each month:

• Two monthly parish gatherings:
  Families come together twice a month for prayer, catechesis, fellowship, and community.
• Support for faith at home:
  Engaging resources and activities make it easy to live your faith every day as a family.
• Parent formation & encouragement:
  Practical guidance and support to help you confidently teach and share the faith.
• Disciples in the making:
  Helping children encounter Jesus, grow in virtue, and live their faith daily.
• A faith that transforms lives:
  Building a strong foundation of faith that will last for eternity.

Join us as we begin another amazing year together!

• Celebrate Catechetical Sunday together!
• Meet other families
• Discover how the program works
• Be inspired by our theme and Saint Francis
• Receive a special blessing for all families

"Start by doing what's necessary, then what's possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible." - Saint Francis of Assisi

Together, let's raise up joyful disciples and vibrant Catholic families! All are welcome. Come as you are.