A Letter From Our Pastor: This Summer, Opportunities for Stewardship and Formation Abound

Dear Parishioners,

Summer is upon us and this is no time to take a step back from your faith! Coming out of COVID, we have been shaken, but our strength is in Christ and He will see us through. Our stewardship way of life has been on display over the last year and this newsletter shows the beauty and diversity of our parish.

We usually feature specific ministries, but we wanted to start this newsletter with a look at our oldest and youngest parishioners. We are a young parish with lots of babies and young families. Our Early Childhood Development Center is strong! Xavier Kids and Xavier Teens are growing. Even our young adults are thriving! Alongside these younger parishioners, we have the beauty and wisdom of those who are older. These parishioners have seen the parish through the ups and downs, and they have much to teach us all.

This summer we are offering SO MANY opportunities for our young people. From Vacation Bible School, to the Steubenville Youth Conference, Mission Trip, Xavier Family Nights, and Camp Xavier. Camp Xavier is a week-long mission for our teenagers. Each night features talks, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. We’ll have good food and t-shirts too! I hope all our teenagers will join us in July.

Finally, we’re featuring the wonderful ministry of teaching Natural Family Planning. NFP is a beautiful way of life for married couples to plan their families safely, cheaply, morally and responsibly. Parishioners Rose and Matt Cabeen teach NFP to our engaged couples and for any married couples who want to learn. There’s great science behind it too!

Let’s keep living a life of stewardship, serving Christ and His Church!

In Christ,

Very Rev. Brian O’Brien Pastor, St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church