May 25, 2025

Dear Friends in Christ,
The following quote is attributed to the philosopher Aristotle. “We are what we repeatedly do…excellence is not an act, but a habit.” In other words, excellence isn't this thing you do once; it’s a way of living. We try to teach our children the importance of developing good habits in their speech and actions in school, sports, and other activities that form the character of their lives. That includes the vitally important virtues of faith, hope, and love that shape their hearts and minds as followers of Christ.
These past few weeks, we have celebrated the reception of First Holy Communion for about 75 children in our family of parishes. These are occasions of great joy and hope for our communities, as we invite our precious children to participate more fully in the Supper of the Lord, the source and summit of the Church’s life. As these celebrations conclude, I have said the same thing for 44 years to the children who receive the body and blood of the Lord for the first time. “The only thing more important than your first holy communion is your second, third, fourth, or in my case, thirty thousandth. So, we’ll see you next Sunday, I tell them. 
That’s up to their parents, of course. So, parents, thank you for helping your children receive this precious gift of the Eucharist. In the midst of their busy lives with so many competing priorities, I hope you will do all you can to make regular participation in Sunday Mass a habit of the heart, remembering that “We are what we repeatedly do.” When we sincerely receive the body of Jesus on a regular basis, his presence shapes our hearts and minds and the people we become. What greater habit can we instill in the children entrusted to our care?  
Blessings of peace,
Fr. William Heric, Pastor