From the Vicar — September 21st, 2025
The Brotherhood of St. Patrick
This past Tuesday, the Brotherhood had its kickoff event! It was an awesome night, and it has me very excited about what the Lord has in store for this year. I want to take a minute and answer a few questions I’ve received from men over the past few weeks:
“Why the 8 pm start? Why so late?”
In talking to the men of our parish, there was a clear desire from men who still have kids at home to have an event for men that doesn’t pull them away from family dinner, or from the precious time between when they get home from work and when the younger kids go to bed. We had seen from the past few years of TMIY, that while starting at 6 am was one way of avoiding that time conflict, it wasn’t an option for many men for other reasons. Starting at 8pm is an attempt to make this event accessible to as many men as possible.
“Who is this group for?”
Men. Plain and simple. Right now, there are over a hundred men registered, covering almost every age between 20 and 85. Some of these men have been in men’s groups before, but for some, this is the very first thing they have come to at St. Pat’s apart from Sunday Mass. As we heard in the recent homily series, these kinds of intentional, Christ-centered relationships that come from groups like this are so essential for living the Christian life. My hope is that the Brotherhood would be a place where the men of St. Pat’s forge friendships and bonds of brotherhood that bless our whole parish community.
“Do I need to register? Or can I just show up?” Yes, you can just show up, but please take 2 minutes and fill out the registration ahead of time. This helps us with forming the table groups, as well as allows us to keep you updated on what is happening. Use this link to register.
“What if I can’t come every time?”
Don’t worry, we understand that you probably won’t be able to make it every week. Life happens. But don’t let that stop you from coming this week: 8pm. O’Kelly Hall. I’ll see you there.
Serviam Altar Server Retreat on the 27th
Next Saturday, the 27th, we have our next Serviam retreat! These are our bi-annual retreat and training for all of the young men who are altar servers and Captains. It is for any current altar servers as well as for any young men interested in becoming altar servers.
Previously, altar serving was open to boys in fourth grade and above, however, after receiving feedback from families, we have decided to lower the age requirement to include any boys who have received First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion! Effectively, this allows them to begin serving at the beginning of third grade.
The retreat begins with Mass at 8am in the Church, and includes a hearty breakfast after Mass. More details are in the registration form. Please register your son with this link.
Please contact Carlene Demers (cdemers@stpatchurch.org) with any questions.
Young Church and Ignite starting soon!
With Fall comes football season and heading back to school. It also means that our various youth groups are starting back up! Both of these are great opportunities for your kids to encounter our Lord, and grow as disciples!
Young Church is our youth group for 7th through 12th graders. It meets Sunday evening from 6pm to 8pm in O’Kelly Hall. It kicks off this Sunday the 21st!
Ignite is our youth group for 4th through 6th graders. It meets Sunday afternoons from 3pm to 4:30pm in Case Hall. It kicks off the following Sunday, the 28th!
Check out more information, the full calendar, and how to register on the website here: www.stpatrickcatholicparish.org/youth
Feel free to reach out to Marissa Dawson (mdawson@stpatchurch.org) or Samuel Ekblad (sekblad@stpatchurch.org) with any questions
Your servant in the Lord,
Fr. Joshua