We welcome Sr. Renetta Graff, SND to our parish this weekend. Sister will be speaking at all the Masses on behalf of the Propagation of the Faith. There will be a second collection to help our Catholic brothers and sisters in mission countries. As always I thank you for your generous response. 
 

This Thursday is the Solemnity of the Assumption of Our Lady into Heaven. It is a Holyday of Obligation; all Catholics are bound to attend Mass that day, or the night before in Vigil. 
 
Celebration of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is an ancient Christian custom. Its origins are unknown, but its widespread observation dates back to at least the sixth century. The origin of the feast dates back even further, to the fourth century, where it was celebrated in the Eastern churches under the title of “The Falling Asleep (Dormition) of the Holy Mother of God.” 
 
There is no definitive teaching on whether Mary died before being taken body and soul into heaven or if she simply fell into a deep sleep, resembling death, before being assumed. Lacking complete certitude, the Church allows us some latitude in our conclusion. The main truth, however it really happened, is that Mary, perpetually sinless, was taken to share in the glory of the Resurrection and her body was preserved from all decay. 
 
It is believed that Mary’s Assumption took place between three and fifteen years after Christ’s Ascension in Jerusalem, where her tomb stands to this day. A tradition states when Mary was assumed into heaven, her tomb was filled with sweet smelling flowers. 
 
The Feast of the Assumption is the most significant of all the Marian feasts in the Church’s calendar. We honor Mary on this day first and foremost by going to Mass. We thank God for giving this world the most beautiful, faithful, and perfect woman, a model of living for all, especially for women. 
 
There are many traditions around the world to mark this feast. Many celebrate the end of the harvest season. For example, in France, August 15th is a day for family parties and excursions into the countryside. In some parts of France, it is the day to get engaged to be married when couples come to ask Mary’s blessing on their future. 
 
In Armenia there is the Blessing of the Grapes on the Sunday nearest the feast of the Assumption. Great trays of the fruit are brought into the churches, and after they are blessed each member of the congregation carries a bunch home. Feasts are held in the vineyards, and at this time the first grapes of the season are eaten. 
 
In many parts of Italy, the statue of Our Lady is carried in procession through the streets to the cathedral or church. And in Siena there takes place a noted race called the Palio in honor of the Assumption of the Virgin. This race is held in the public square, shaped like a scallop shell and surrounded by ancient and beautiful buildings draped with banners for the occasion. The winning neighborhood’s horse carries on with a feast after the race. 

In Poland the day is known as the Feast of Our Lady of Herbs, for the farmers take to church sweet-smelling bouquets of their finest blossoms mixed with the green of herbs. 
 
In Ireland the Assumption is called by the Gaelic name ‘Féile Mhuire ‘sa bhFomhar‘ (The Feast Day of Our Lady in the Harvest Time) and an ancient legend has it that bathing in the sea on August 15 has a health-promoting effect—“the cure”. That tradition has been adopted here in the United States. 
 
Whatever traditions you observe, we give thanks to God for Mary. Come to her with your greatest needs. She is precious to God, and through her great love, which she has for us, we are precious to her. Our Lady of the Assumption, pray for us 
 A Word of Thanks
I would like to thank Kevin Stokes and his men for fixing and restoring the stone column by the Rectory driveway. The stonewall and column are the original 1909 construction. The original mortar needed repair and some stones reinforced.