Hello! It's my prayer and I'm sure it's your prayer, too, that with the start of the school year will come a return to some sense of normalcy and routine. My prayers are with all our parents, students, teachers, and catechists. I've been visiting our faith formation families little by little over the past week and hope to make it to all the houses by the end of next week. If you need to register your students for our K-12 faith formation year, please visit ishpemingcatholic.com/students for details.

​I recently baptized little Abram Connor Barlock, son of Travis and Nicole (Kurju) Barlock. Congratulations to them, and our prayers are with you!

​Last week I presented a $500 check from each parish to Father Dustin Larson, chaplain and director of Catholic Campus Ministry at NMU. Campus ministry is supported entirely from donations. A special thank you to all who gave a contribution to support their Miles for Ministry fundraiser. You can learn more about CCM at their Facebook page and website.

​I know the upcoming election is on everyone's mind. The Michigan Catholic Conference recently published a good article about issues to consider before voting. All of us have to consider these issues prayerfully as we form our consciences and prepare to vote. I encourage you to read the article and be informed in preparation for November. And let's commit to pray daily for our contry and all office-holders, and practice civility in all our conversations.

​Next Wednesday the 16th is our monthly Healing Mass with Individual Prayer and Anointing of the Sick. The flyer is below. Come yourself, and invite anyone you know to join us to ask Jesus for healing in body, mind, and spirit.

​Finally, here are some worthwhile articles for your reading:

• ​A Labor Day Reflection: We Need One Another to Survive by Msgr. Charles Pope
• ​When a Society Turns from Truth and Goodness by John Clark
• ​The Shape of the Cross by Franchelle Jaeger

​Please keep passing the word that we're open for in-person Masses. I've talked with some people who think we're still closed!

May God bless you and your families during this time!

Father Ryan

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P.S. Thank you to everyone who has continued to support the parishes financially during this time, I really appreciate it! If you want to set up a recurring donation online, it's easy at ishpemingcatholic.com/give