The need for prayer

     The day following the release of the PA Grand Jury Report on child abuse by priests and the Church's failures, while we were all still speechless and shocked, a wonderful group of the faithful gathered on August 15th with Bishop Malesic on the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin to celebrate their Faith, to honor the Mother of God on the day of her entry into heaven, and to be fed with the Body and Blood of Christ in the Eucharist as we sang the praises of the Father of all.  Mary, under the title of the Assumption, is the patroness of our diocese.   That night, as we gathered, darkness descended upon us.  The fright of that darkness was dispelled that night by the light of our Faith, the light of the many candles carried in procession, and the strength of trust and redemption as we placed ourselves within the healing power of God and the gentle love of his mother, Mary.  It was a much needed moment of hope for the future.   I have included a number of pictures of the evening taken by the diocesan photographers who sought to capture the beauty of that evening.  And I thank God for the families who witnessed to their undying love of this gift of the Family of God.