Fall is fast approaching!  So too our 5th Anniversary celebrations at All Saints.  It's hard to believe that All Saints will be 5 years old on Labor Day weekend!  What started as a small gathering of family and friends in our living room 5 years ago, has today become a growing and active parish that is also part of a world-wide Free Catholic movment... with Dioceses and Parishes from Virginia to Florida, Tennessee to New York, England to Brazil, and now even in Africa!  We've seen a lot a changes over the past five years; and we give thanks to God for the work He has called us to, and for the miracles we've seen.

The Spanish Church - Todos los Santos - will celebrate its 2nd Anniversary on Labor Day weekend as well.  This work has been exciting and rewarding, but also faces many difficulties and struggles as changing social attitudes in our country and communites about "immigrants" has begun to have an impact on our ability to effectively minister to these folks.  But despite the challenges and even the open "prejudice", these folks continue to come and worship - some driving over an hour just to be in Church!  This commitment was also recently expressed when a delegation of families approach us about starting another Spanish mission north of Richmond in Henrico County.  Please keep these dear people in your prayers - because no matter their "status" - they need Jesus too!

With the approach of Fall, we find ourselves half-way through this Season of "Ordinary Time".  We also find ourselves getting ready for all the new and exciting activities and programs that will begin in September.  Monday's will see the return of Kidz Clubs and Teen Zone; Tuesdays will see the return of Family Bingo; and the Food Bank will be 100% back in operation with expanded services and operations!  Then there's the Halloween Party to plan... the special Christmas music for the Choir to rehearse... the annual Parish Thanksgiving Day Mass and Family Banquet... and the Kidz Clubz and Teen Zone Christmas Pageant to begin preparing. 

This Fall promises to be the BEST in 5 years, with lots of activities, lots of programs, and lots of help to get it all done.  There's a real enthusiam and excitement, and a genuine "spirit" at All Saints unlike anything we've seen the past 5 years.  God is about to do something miraculous!  I count myself very fortunate and "blessed" to be the Pastor of such a wonderful group of people.

I hope you'll consider being part of this "miracle" and visit with us soon, or by getting involved in the work we are trying to do.  I think that you see that even after five years, the mission and the vision we started with continues today... which is "to share the love, joy, and peace of God - with EVERYONE!"  

May your Fall be filled with the wonderful blessings of God...

...and...

Happy Birthday All Saints Chapel and Todos los Santos! X