Pastor’s Corner – Our Lady of the Assumption Church

-SeptemberFest Tribute and Thank You –
Once more we are on the other side of what was again a
very successful SeptemberFest Weekend.

I cannot imagine a more appropriate SeptemberFest Honoree than Tommy Lanese, Jr. who for decades not only was one of the premier SeptemberFest Coordinators and Volunteers, but every month, week and everyday attending Mass remained a fully invested member of the Our Lady of the Assumption Family. Tommy was a career Construction Man, a noble profession whose mantle has been more than ably picked up by his Son and Family, responsible as they were for the magnificent renovations done to the Church following the November Fire of 2021.
In fact, I write this article on the day we celebrate the life of Saint Francis of Assisi who received his calling and mission when standing before a crucifix in a broken down Church, heard these words, the same that are constantly whispered into our hearts each day: “Rebuild my Church.”
For you see, as Tommy Lanese and Family remind us, as each year the incredible SeptemberFest Coordinators and Volunteers remind us, we are all in the Construction Business, as in rebuilding the Church, not so much one stone at a time as one person at a time. As Saint Paul insists:
“But God has so constructed the body as to give greater honor to a part that is without it, so that there may be no division in the body, but that the parts may have the same concern for one another. If [one] part suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if one part is honored, all the parts share its joy.”
And what better way to provide joy and strength for people, especially families who must bear the brunt of lives that are tiring, in a culture that so little encourages building up one’s Faith and instead prefers to tear it down demolition style, than pulling off yet another wildly successful SeptemberFest.
And what makes this one so different from any Carnival or Fair one might attend? The people pulling it off and the motivation for doing so, The Holy Spirit. This is a wonderfully exhausting Labor of Love and not just any Love but God’s Love and not just any Laborers, but those involved not only with months of preparing this Joy Fest, but who maintain that momentum through-out the year to build up the Spirits and strengthen the Faith of the Our Lady of the Assumption Community.
The thanks I mean to convey in this letter is also vastly different from any typical expression of gratitude there may be, because again, from where that gratitude is born from.
As Catholics there is no greater treasure we have than the Holy Eucharist and the word Eucharist means “To Give Thanks” and it is in this profound Spirit of Eucharistic gratitude that I say thank you to everyone involved in launching this Heaven on Earth event and the many individuals and families who attended, donated, laughed got dizzy from any number of rides, who enjoyed delicious eats and drinks and an all around good and great time.
As the Priest distributes Christ in Holy Communion during Mass, SeptemberFest is a further reminder that we are ALL Eucharistic Ministers as well, distributing Christ whether extending those hands to deliver food, drinks, ride tickets, bingo cards, push brooms to clean the parking lot, keep everyone safe and secure. It is the Royal Priesthood of the Church in full throttle action…as Saint Peter describes in Scripture: “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may announce the praises” of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”
Reminding us there is no greater Family to belong to than God’s Family, whose mightiest and most intimate expression of that gift is the Church Family. So let’s keep those sleeves rolled up and continue the task of building up Christ’s body, the Church beginning right here at Our Lady of the Assumption Parish. Construction Zone: Work in Progress. There being no greater work than Salvation, and as our SeptemberFesters and Tommy Lanese, Jr. remind us, no greater and more abler Laborers than you
and me. As Saint Paul confirms of this most noble mission of ours, that God is “to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the extent of the full stature of Christ.” Thank you ONE And ALL:
Event Chairs – Jeremy Redgate and Dan Ford
Food & Supplies – Miriam Cass, Mike DeMato, Jessica
Medoff, Julie Buonasora
Kitchen – Michael Kane, Jim Guzzi, Michael DeFilippo
Main Food – Laura and Marc Kavulich, Michael
Broderick
Pizza Fritta & Fried Oreos – Bob and Barbara Karosy,
Jeff and Donna Pond
Grinders & Ziti – Bob Sherwood, Josh and Irene Orosz
Beer & Wine – Matthew Colangelo, Bill Robertson
Ice Cream – Ginny and Mark Bentley
Soda & Water – Delia Cass
Volunteer Coordinators – Deirdre Sikora, Terri Pisseri,
Carlotta Elliott
Bingo – Mary Garbe, Reini Knorr
Parish Raffle – Meri Glifort, Lisa Alberico
50/50 Raffle – Donan Meyer
Set Up & Break Down / Electrical – Duke Sherwood,
Matt Tomis, Dermott Mahoney
Grounds Clean Up – Kevin Walsh
Security – Greg Matera, Ron Fiske
Ride Ticket Sales – Lou and Pat Bleggi, Janet Halpin
Finance – Dale and Fran Lichtenberg
Sponsorships – Megan Quinn
Communications – Jennifer Ventresca