Hello, friends: 
​
It seems like we started planning for the parish Oktoberfest so long ago, which we did, and the event is just a week away! First, I'd like to thank the committee members and staff members who have helped with all of the preparations; it's been a lot of work and most has been behind the scenes. Second, thanks to all of you who have already contributed to the purchase of the raffle tickets and/or meal tickets. If you haven't had an opportunity to turn tickets and monies into the office, please consider doing that, ASAP!

Finally, don't miss your chance to bid on some great prizes during the live auction. I'd like to just name a few of them: a reserved pew (which seats up to 12) for the very special, and crowded, Easter and Christmas masses; and your very own parking space (2 spaces available) with a personalized placard. I hear a rumor that a dinner or two will also be on the live auction, hosted at the rectory, and catered by some pretty talented chefs! There will be other great prizes available- please consider taking time next Sunday to make our Oktoberfest a success.

I'd like to clarify the Sunday mass schedule for next week: we will have the regular Sunday 8:30am and 11am masses here at Newman. Fr. Valentine and I will be switching; I'll be at OLG for the 10:30am mass there and he will be here for our 11am mass. There will not be a Sunday 7:30pm mass next weekend.

Fr. Ray

Hello, friends:

Religious Education has started for this year and this weekend we will both recognize and bless our teachers and their assistants. On behalf of the parish staff I’d like to offer my sincere thanks and appreciation to the teachers for their time and efforts in helping to form and shape our children’s faith formation. The church reminds us that parents are the primary teachers of the faith and the parish is simply supposed to supplement what’s being taught at home.

As we begin this new semester I’d encourage parents and grandparents to make prayer a priority, at home. As Catholics, we sometimes feel inadequate or ill equipped to either lead prayer; the other obstacle is finding time to pray. There are many wonderful resources that can help form a simple prayer experience. I always recommend ritualizing a prayer experience so that it becomes a routine, something that we can look forward to. The ritual can be as simple as praying the following: an Our Father, a Hail Mary and then allow for spontaneous prayer intentions and then close with the Glory Be. I realize that time is precious, that we feel that we may not have enough of it, but we learn that if we put God first He will ensure that we will have an abundance of whatever we might need.

Thanks to the faculty and staff who were able to be present for last week’s Crimson Mass. Please keep the faculty and staff of both NMSU and DACC in your prayers as they continue their great work with the university community.

​Fr. Ray

​Hello, friends: 

Join me in welcoming Fr. Emmanuel Ezzenh to our parish community. Fr Emmanuel will be in residence and able to help both here and at San Albino. Fr. Emmanuel is from northern Nigeria; I'll ask him to better communicate his history at the weekend masses. Please pray for him as he transitions to a new community and share your Newman spirit with him. Welcome Fr. Emmanuel!

Bishop Emeritus Ricardo Ramirez will be celebrating three major milestones next week. He will be celebrating his 50th anniversary of priesthood, 35 years as a bishop and his 80th birthday. There will be a mass of thanksgiving at the Cathedral on Thursday, September 8th at 7pm. Keep Bishop Ramirez in your prayers as he continues to serve the local church of Las Cruces with his prayers and witness of faith! Happy birthday, Bishop!

​Fr. Ray