Parish School of Religion (PSR) – PSR classes will resume on Sunday, September 17th, 9:00 a.m. It is important that the students are participating continually each year, kindergarten through the eighth grade. If you are not attending St. Patrick Elementary School, please register for PSR. If you have not received a registration form in the mail, you may obtain one from the table in the back of the church. Contact Bernardine Hess, 852-0942 if you have questions.

School Advisory Board Vacancy – We are accepting applications to fill a vacancy on the St. Patrick School Advisory Board. Please send a brief letter before September 1st stating your reasons and/or qualifications that you desire to serve on the School Advisory Board to Dr. Jacob Froning, 226 Elm Street, London. If you have any questions, you can call Dr. Froning at 852-0161.

Vocation Views – Lord, to whom should we go? You have the words of eternal life. There is no where else to go. Follow Jesus, come what may. (John 6:60-69)

Is There Interest in Starting a St. Patrick Boy Scout Chapter? If there is an interest by a core leader group to charter a St. Patrick Scout Unit, we can attend a dinner meeting with Bishop Campbell and other parish leaders to discuss this mission. There are many rewards that charter Scouting units include: The Catholic Church and Boy Scouts of America (BSA) share similar values (character development, citizenship training, physical and mental fitness); youth Ministry in Catholic Scouting promotes catechesis through religious emblems, programs, prayer and worship, community life, pastoral care, justice and service, leadership development and evangelization. If you have an interest, please call the parish office at 852-0942 before August 28th.

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) begins Monday, September 11th, 7:00 p.m. in the parish center parlor. An eighth grader’s math skills might fall short of what is needed to be a CPA. A twelve year old’s skill at fixing his bike might not get his car’s transmission fixed as an adult. For many of us, our religious education stopped right after Confirmation as a young teen. The answers we learned years ago, as a young person, probably won’t suffice for the faith questions we have as adults. RCIA is also for Catholics who would like to continue in learning their Catholic faith as adults. If you are Catholic and seeking to learn more about our faith, you are invited to our RCIA. Please call Father Ted Sill (852-0942) or Deacon Dan Hann (852-5456) for more information.

St. Patrick 140th Anniversary Tee Shirts are available in all sizes in the St. Patrick Gift Shop for $10 each. The front of the tee shirt has a shamrock insignia noting the 140th anniversary and the back side has an illustration of St. Patrick church. This is a great way to bear the good news of our parish family celebrating the serving of God and our community for the past 140 years. The gift shop can be opened any time during regular parish office hours of 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Beginning in September, the gift shop will be opened after all weekend Masses.

Altar Flowers – The flowers last weekend were donated by an anonymous parishioner with heartfelt appreciation for the eighteen pastors who have dedicated a portion of their lives in shepherding our faith community at St. Patrick Church since the onset of our parish. We give thanks to our God for His blessings and grace received through the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, sacraments and truth spoken through the Word of God because of the obedience of these men in the past 140 years. If you are interested in donating altar flowers, please contact Ruth Blackwell at 852-3090.

Catechetical Sunday, September 17, 2006 – The Rite of Commissioning and Blessing for all Catechists of St. Patrick Parish will be celebrated on September 17th during the 10:30 a.m. Mass. The theme for the coming catechetical Year—Who Do You Say That I Am?—focuses on our intentional efforts to deepen our understanding of and relationship with Jesus. This question is one that each Christian must answer for herself or himself each today. How we respond to this question affects how we live, pray, make decisions, and form relationships. This question goes to the very heart of Christian discipleship.

Habitat for Humanity of Madison County, Inc. – Habitat for Humanity of Madison County currently has a house under construction at 38 Stewart Avenue, London. We are looking for volunteers to provide lunch for 8-12 workers on Saturdays through late Fall. If this is a mission you would be interested in participating in, please contact Debbie Blaho at 852-0226 or leave a message at the Habitat office at 845-0653. Thank you for your consideration.

The Madison County Health Partners (Free Clinic) is in need of a wheelchair. If you have one to donate please call Melissa Canney at 740-845-7286. Thank you!

Are You Registered? Have you moved away from your parental home and attend Church here? Are you living with your parents, but over the age of 20? Are you new to the area and would like to register here? Are you presently not receiving contribution envelopes and would like to receive them? If you answered "yes" to any of the questions above, please contact our parish office. Registering now will help streamline special requests that come up i.e. Baptisms, Marriages, Special Requests. If you have any questions about Parish Membership, please contact the Parish Office at 852-0942.

COLUMBUS DIOCESE NEWS

The National Holy Name Society will hold it’s 36th Annual Convention at the St. Joseph Christian Life Center in Cleveland, Ohio on September 21, 22 & 23, 2006. The Holy Name Society is a confraternity of men and women who promote the name of Jesus Christ. If you are interested in attending, or would like further information, please contact: Warren G. Wissman, 3653 Hillward St., Willoughby, OH 44094. Telephone: 440-946-4427 or email at wwissman@sbcglobal.net.

Retreat Opportunities: St. Therese’s Retreat Center in Columbus schedules retreats to allow us to reflect on our lives and our spiritual journey. All retreats include Mass, conferences and other liturgy.

September 8-10, 2006 This silent retreat is for men and directed by Fr. Vincent McKiernan, CSP, now in his 16th year of ministry to OSU students at St. Thomas More Center. The theme is "Live in the Contemplative Life for Thirty-six Hours!" and reflect on your life.

October 6-8, 2006 "Souvenirs of the Journey" 75th Anniversary Retreat for Men and Women, directed by Fr. Timothy Hayes from Newark.

See the Church Bulletin Board for the flyers regarding these retreats. Contact parishioner Bob Cordes at 852-1599 if you would like further information.