The big day of our River Mass has finally arrived. I am looking forward to spending some time with our Parish Family during the picnic which follows the Mass. Monsignor Meagher will celebrate the Mass at 11:00. It is important for us to be able to gather together toward the end of the summer season and to enjoy one another’s company and the beauty of our area. Our Lord Jesus tells us that “whenever two or three are gathered in His name, He is there in the midst of them.” As we take some time to celebrate this day, let us ask the Lord Jesus to open our eyes to recognize Him as He comes to us during this special time. Our Readings from Sacred Scripture speak to us today about the decision to follow our God. In the First Reading Joshua challenges the Israelites to decide whether they are to follow Yahweh, or the gods of the Amorites. He goes on to say that He and His family will choose to follow the Lord. In our Gospel we see how some people have left our Lord Jesus because His teachings were hard. Jesus asks the disciples if they want to go too. Discipleship is not for the faint of heart. Our Lord Jesus challenges all of us at times. We can either follow the way of the world or the way of our God. He invites us to examine our lives this week and to recommit ourselves to following Him as we journey through this world. HAVE A GREAT WEEK! Fr. Jim