The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the order for initiation into the Catholic Church. It is a process by which adult men and women enter into the Catholic Church. The process involves inquiry, conversion, prayer, liturgy, education, discernment, commitment, and receiving the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and the Holy Eucharist.

RCIA is open to anyone who is interested in becoming Catholic, missed the Sacrament of Confirmation, or is Catholic, but simply would like to know more about the teachings of the Catholic Church.

At Holy Comforter, RCIA Class sessions for the year will be held on Sundays between the 8:30 and 11:00 masses (9:40-10:50) beginning Sunday, September 9 and continuing through Sunday, May 11 (Pentecost). Class sessions will be held at the church in the Coordinator of Christian Formation's office.

For more information, including contact information, click here.

The bulletin for September 2, 2007 is available by clicking here to view it.

Listed below are a few of the items from this week's bulletin. See the bulletin for more details and to read all of the announcements.

If you would like to receive the parish bulletin via email, click here.

PASTORAL CARE MINISTRY: As part of the the diocese initiative to assist parishes in improving their efforts to include parishioners with disabilities, impairments, and handicaps in parish activities, a questionnaire will be distributed at all masses this weekend, September 1st and 2nd. Our Parish Disability Advocate George Kelly will also speak at all masses to give more information about the survey. Please take the time to complete the questionnaire in order to assist the parish in this important area of pastoral care ministry.

CHRISTIAN FORMATION: Catechists are still needed for a number of teaching positions. Please see the bulletin for more details about how you can help with passing on our Catholic Faith. For more information about volunteering, contact Teresa Ritzert, Coordinator of Religious Education, by calling 295-6559 or via email at tritzert@holycomforterparish.org.

WORSHIP: Greeters are needed for the 5:00 PM Saturday mass and the 8:30 AM Sunday mass. Training is provided. For more information, call Jim Morrisard at 973-6570 or, call the parish office at 295-7185.

PRO-LIFE: Join Charlottesville Christians to witness to the
sanctity of life in a groundbreaking campaign: 40 Days for Life. All our welcome to participate in this ecumenical campaign of prayer, fasting, and action. To learn more, come to a meeting on Tuesday, September 4 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas.

For more information, please contact Diane at cvillerespectlife@gmail.com or by calling 760-2916. For information online, visit the 40 Days for Life Blog by clicking here.

JUSTICE & PEACE: The Haiti Committee will be showing a film this Sunday, September 2nd, between the 8:30 AM and 11:00 AM masses. The film includes highlights from the most recent trip to Saltadere, our twin parish in Haiti. It features the dedication of the new buildings at St. Michel's School. These buildings were supported by donations from Holy Comforter parish. The film also includes interviews and information about Haiti.

The film will be shown downstairs, and light refreshments will be provided. Child sponsors and anyone interested in traveling to Haiti are encouraged to attend.

FOOD PANTRY: The monthly food collection will resume in October. In the meantime, please continue to be generous and drop off non-perishable food and toilet articles to help those in our community who are in need.

The September calendar has been posted for some time. However, a new version of the calendar has been put on the Web site with some changes. To view the calendar, click here.

The changes include:

• The addition of the viewing of the Haiti film at 9:30 AM on Sunday, September 2nd.


• The Pastoral Council meeting is at 7:00 PM on September 10th, not September 11th.


• The addition of a wedding on Saturday, September 15th at 2:30 PM.


• The addition of the RCIA meeting at 9:30 AM on September 9th, 16th, 23rd, and 30th.


• The addition of the IMPACT meetings at 9:30 AM on September 9th and 16th.

September 5th marks the tenth anniversary of the death of Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta. Priests for Life is asking people to pray a novena in honor of Blessed Mother Teresa and her unswerving dedication to the dignity and protection of all persons.

Click here for more information. The site also has a section where you can read testimonies of how Blessed Mother Teresa has impacted the lives of many people. And you can add your own story to the list of testimonies.

Father of Life,
You always defend the poor and oppressed.

In Blessed Teresa of Calcutta,
You raised up a voice for the voiceless
And a friend to the poorest of the poor, the unborn child.

She brought women away from the despair of abortion clinics
To the hope of a loving community
That cared for her and her child.

She spoke the truth to men and women of power,
Asking them how we could tell people not to kill one another
While allowing a mother to kill her own child.

Father, as we honor this humble and faithful woman,
We ask you to give us the grace
To follow her example.

May we be bold in word and generous in action
To love and serve the unborn
And to awaken our world to know, as Mother Teresa said,
That the greatest destroyer of love and peace is abortion.

Fill us with love, bring us peace, and let us share your life forever.
We pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.

The bulletin for August 26, 2007 is available by clicking here to view it.

Here are a few of the items from this week's bulletin. See the bulletin for more details and to read all of the announcements.

PASTORAL CARE MINISTRY: As part of the the diocese initiative to assist parishes in improving their efforts to include parishioners with disabilities, impairments, and handicaps in parish activities, a questionnaire will be distributed at all masses on September 1st and 2nd. Our Parish Disability Advocate George Kelly will also speak at all masses to give more information about the survey. Please take the time to complete the questionnaire in order to assist the parish in this important area of pastoral care ministry.

CHRISTIAN FORMATION: Catechists are still needed for a number of teaching positions. Please see the bulletin for more details about how you can help with passing on our Catholic Faith. For more information about volunteering, contact Teresa Ritzert, Coordinator of Religious Education, by calling 295-6559 or via email at tritzert@holycomforterparish.org.

WORSHIP: Greeters are needed for the 5:00 PM Saturday mass and the 8:30 AM Sunday mass. Training is provided. For more information, call Jim Morrisard at 973-6570 or, call the parish office at 295-7185.

PRO-LIFE: Join Charlottesville Christians to witness to the
sanctity of life in a groundbreaking campaign: 40 Days for Life. All our welcome to participate in this ecumenical campaign of prayer, fasting, and action. To learn more, come to a meeting on Tuesday, September 4 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas.

For more information, please contact Diane at cvillerespectlife@gmail.com or by calling 760-2916. For information online, visit the 40 Days for Life Blog by clicking here.

JUSTICE & PEACE: The Haiti Committee will be showing a film on Sunday, September 2nd between the 8:30 AM and 11:00 AM masses. The film includes highlights from the most recent trip to Saltadere, our twin parish in Haiti. It features the dedication of the new buildings at St. Michel's School. These buildings were supported by donations from Holy Comforter parish. The film also includes interviews and information about Haiti.

The film will be shown downstairs, and light refreshments will be provided. Child sponsors and anyone interested in traveling to Haiti are encouraged to attend.

Today is Father Dennis' 65th birthday. If you are coming to the parish picnic on Sunday, bring along a birthday card for Father and drop it off in the basket designated for cards that will be in the dining area. Or, simply click here to send him an email to wish him a happy birthday.

You can help support Charlottesville Catholic School simply by shopping at your local grocery store.

Several grocery stores in the area donate money to local schools through a program connected with your grocery card. Every time you use your grocery card, money is donated to the school of your choice. This does not cost you any extra as the donations are made from the store.

The key is that you must link your grocery card with the local school. Each fall when school starts up again, you have to select the school associated with your card. To help support Charlottesville Catholic School, visit the customer service counter at the grocery store or visit the following Web sites:

Food Lion

Giant (Not yet available, the program begins October 5, 2007)

Harris Teeter (Enter School Code 2627)

Kroger (Check with Customer Service)

Here are some of the upcoming events for the week of August 19th through August 25th. Click here to view the parish calendar for this month.

• Finance Council Meeting on Tuesday, August 21st at 4 p.m.


• Catechist Orientation and Pathways Training on Saturday, August 25th 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The parish picnic is scheduled for 2 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, August 26th. (Dinner will be at 5 p.m.) It will be held at the Blue Ridge School (273 Mayo Drive, St. George, VA 22935). Click here for a map and to get driving directions.

Activities will include hiking, swimming, volleyball, and tennis. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children. For familes of 5 or more, it is only $30 for the entire family. Tickets are limited, and they can be purchased after mass this weekend and next.

The bulletin for August 19, 2007 is now available. Click here to view it.

Here are a few of the items in the bulletin. See the bulletin for more details and to read all of the announcements.

• The Parish Picnic is August 26th at the Blue Ridge School. Tickets are available after every mass.


• August 24th is Fr. Dennis' 65th birthday. To help him celebrate, there will be a basket at the Parish Picnic where you can drop off a birthday card.


• Christian Formation: Registration is in August after every mass. Please register early. Also, volunteers are needed to help fulfil the vital role of passing on the faith to the younger members of the parish. For more information see the bulletin or contact the Coordinator of Christian Formation Teresa Ritzert at 295-6559 or via email tritzert@holycomforterparish.org.


• RCIA (The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) will begin in September. RCIA is for adults who are interested in learning more about the Catholic faith and possibly becoming Catholic, for Catholic adults who have not yet received the sacrament of confirmation, and for Catholics who simply want to learn more about their faith. See the bulletin for information about how to participate in RCIA.

Click here if you would like to receive the bulletin via email.

Today is the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is an ancient feast that celebrates the Mother of God's beautiful part in her Son's redemption. She was assumed into Heaven even as one day all the faithful will participate in Christ's resurrection from the dead. In her assumption, God presents us with hope that we too can know the triumph of eternity with Him at the end of our journey here on earth. We know that our Lady knew the joys and sufferings of this life. And, at the end of her life, she experienced the crowning glory of her life of heroic virtue when she was received into Heaven. God holds out the same promise to us that if we cooperate with His grace and mercy and remain faithful to the end, we, too, can receive our Heavenly reward.

Click here for the lectionary readings for this feast.

Also, Catholic Culture has a nice article that gives a good overview of the Church's teaching on the Assumption.

The mass for this Holy Day of Obligation will be at 7:00 PM.

Welcome to the Holy Comforter Catholic Parish Blog. The purpose of this blog is to provide another way to present information about the parish. The blog will highlight events and activities taking place in the parish.

The blog is a part of the Holy Comforter Parish Web site which has more information about the parish including mass times, general parish information, the parish calendar, and the weekly bulletins. If you have any questions about the information presented, please add a comment to the post or send an email to webmaster@holycomforterparish.org.

As this blog was started on the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we ask our Lady for her help and prayers for this blog.