Twilight Twitches

Dear Family,
My mind is in a swirl. (So what else is new?) I'm writing this Twitch on Tuesday the 23rd. Hope is a great way to start out, because I'm hoping all the preparations that are underway for Oktoberfest will bear fruit (or brats and sauerkraut in this case.)

I'm hoping that we don't totally wear out all the folk working. I'm hoping that the light-stringers will teeter safely on their ladders and the cleaner-uppers will make the task look easy and that it WILL be easy because there are so many of them.

I know at some point I'll probably find Elli hand-grating something. I'm hoping she doesn't scrape a knuckle.

I'm hoping that people who waited until the last minute are going to be able to get tickets.

I'm hoping that the cool evening breezes that I experienced last night (Fall finally got the memo) will waft around our spaces on Friday night.

Dear Family,
One good thing about this unending hot clammy summer: it will be a great excuse to have a very cold beer (or two) on Friday night as we gather for our brauts and good stuff for another Oktoberfest. (Just don't drive!)

I think we should use the some of the proceeds to help with relief for the people and parishes affected in the hurricane Michael's path. We can add those proceeds to our special collection for them. The Archbishop told me the whole archdiocese will join to help and we'll be part of that effort. In advance, my heartfelt thanks to the Oktoberfest team who prepare the "fest." They will help us extend our hearts and hands in Christ's name to afflicted folks in the panhandle.

Dear Family,
Do not be afraid of holiness. It will take away none of your energy, vitality or joy. On the contrary, you will become what the Father had in mind when he created you, and you will be faithful to your deepest self. Grace is multiplied among people. (Pope Francis Gaudete et Exsultatae 1:32)

Those words appear on the top of the certificates that each of the honorees received last Sunday as representatives from 110 parishes gathered to celebrate the 60th anniversary of our Archdiocese.

Dear Family,
For a lot of us, being 60 would be a happy surprise, but that's what we can all claim today as we celebrate the Archdiocese of Miami's 60th. I wrote about diamonds last week and I just want you to know that each of you puts a special sparkle on the disco ball of life.

And no, I don't want anything. As a matter of fact, I want to thank you A LOT for the generous response you made to the Mission Appeal collec¬tion last week.

I know Father Patrick who came and spoke to us is very happy and grateful. Enclosed in 108 envelopes was over $4,500 for the Church in Gbarnga, Liberia. As a matter of fact, that was more than the parish collection of $3,686.) I expect more will come in this week. With Father Patrick's visit we could meet face-to-face with needs and concerns beyond our own. I think that always turns out to be a good thing.