I’m happy to report that one of my favorite events of the year was once again a great success: our Summer Shindig—the event of the summer!
 
Things looked a little dicey leading up to Thursday night with all the wildfire smoke in the air, but the forecast seemed promising. I said a prayer, and thankfully the skies cleared just in time. Thank you to everyone who joined us, and I’m sorry if the weather kept anyone away. The vibes were still on point: great BBQ, top-notch margaritas, wonderful company, and another lively bags tournament—even though Fr. Mike may have thrown some of the worst bags of his life.
 
And yes, the same team won for the third year in a row.
 
A few years ago, I was visiting a friend’s cabin in Millerville, Minnesota. After an evening pontoon ride and perhaps one sugar-free Red Bull too many, we were challenged to a few friendly games of bags by the neighbors. “A few” somehow turned into approximately 31 straight losses, and the evening stretched much later than I am willing to admit in a parish bulletin.
 
At some point, I casually invited them to our parish bags tournament, never really expecting them to show up. But to my delightful surprise, they have now made the trip all three years—and have taken home the championship every single time.
 
Their official team name is “Here for Beer,” but around St. Vincent’s they have become better known as “The Ringers,” primarily because they are extremely good and, perhaps more importantly, they do not even go here.
 
Before anyone becomes too upset about losing to a couple of out-of-towners for the third straight year, there is one more important part of the story: every year, they have donated their entire $500 prize back to the parish.
 
They may not be parishioners, but they have certainly been fighting for us. They compete hard, they bring their best, and then they turn their victory into generosity. I suppose that softens the blow a little bit. Man, they are good.
 
This weekend, you will begin hearing about another opportunity for all of us to bring our best: the Archdiocese’s **Lord, Renew Your Church** campaign.
 
Through this effort, Archbishop Hebda is asking every parish—and every registered parishioner—to help renew and strengthen our local Church. The campaign will support important Archdiocesan ministries, but it will also make possible significant improvements right here at St. Vincent de Paul, helping ensure that our parish remains vibrant, beautiful, welcoming, and equipped for mission for generations to come.
 
Our parish goal is an ambitious one. Many parishes in the earlier waves of the campaign have already reached or exceeded their goals. So, in the spirit of a little healthy competition, I believe St. Vincent’s can hang with the best of them.
 
But this is not really about beating another parish or putting a trophy on the shelf. It is about allowing the example of others to inspire us. Healthy competition reminds us not to coast, not to settle, and not to leave our best effort in the bag. It calls something more out of us.
 
Over the coming months, each of us will be invited to pray, learn more, and consider how we might participate. Every family’s circumstances are different, and every gift will be personal. What matters most is that we enter into this together—with gratitude for those who built this parish before us, with love for the people who call it home today, and with hope for those who will worship here long after us.
 
The Ringers have shown us that even a hard-fought victory becomes more meaningful when it ends in generosity. May this campaign bring out the very best in all of us—not simply so that we can reach a goal, but so that together we can fight for this parish, invest in its mission, and hand on something beautiful to the generations still to come.

Fr. Mike
Pastor

Thursday, September 10
Shot gun start at 11:30 AM
Daytona Golf Club in Dayton
$75 per player (includes 18 holes with cart, range balls, prizes and dinner)

Make plans to join us for our upcoming Harvest Festival Weekend! 

Volunteer Sign-up - Please consider helping us out by volunteering for a shift! 

We are in need of 2 Liter Pop donations for the ever popular Pop Toss! These can be dropped off in the Parish Office during the week or at the Harvest Festival Table in the Gathering Space during the weekend. 

Mondays 7:00 - 8:30 PM twice/month
Starting on Sept. 21 and continuing through May

Registration is now open for a new Year 1 Cana mothers small group! Join other Catholic mothers twice a month on Monday evenings. Grow in faith, build meaningful friendships, and be encouraged in your vocation as a mother. 

Learn more and register at canafamilyinstitute.com.

Our Wednesday Mass time has changed from 8:00 AM to 5:15 PM, with confessions offered in the Adoration Chapel starting at 4:45 PM. 

We have been considering offering an evening Mass for some time and are excited to offer an opportunity for people to come to a daily Mass who currently cannot make the morning option work. This will also allow for opportunities for our Faith Formation participants to attend Mass before programs begin on Wednesday nights.

Mass at 8:00 AM will continue to be offered on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, with confessions offered in the Adoration Chapel at 7:30 AM.

Please know that we welcome new adorers to take open hours! Click here to sign-up as an adorer or substitute adorer.

Adoration Sign-up