I can’t believe that it’s already August! I hope that you had a great summer. I sure did with visits to Romania and Georgia (the country, not the state). It seems like summer just started and while the heat will still be with us for a bit longer, it is time to turn our attention to the start of another school year. For some families, this month will bring the start of school for the very first time. For others its will be a continuation of previous years. For some, August will mean the start of high school or college or even entering the workforce. Still for others, this August brings a relocation to Florida (perhaps for work or because of a military assignment). Whatever is going on in your life right now, whether you have been at Christ the King for many years or you recently arrived, we are so glad that you are here!

I think this is going to be a very exciting year. Over the summer we had a few staff changes in a couple of very important ministry areas especially regarding our children and youth. After many years of faithful service, our Director of Religious Education Casey Kiser decided to move onto new opportunities, so we taped Jim Mascarenhas (who is engaged to be married in October to Patrizia Planzo, our Communications Manager) who had been our Administrative Assistant for Faith Formation to take on the role previously filled by Casey. We also welcomed Marian Cayabas to take over the Faith Formation Assistant role. Next week, we will also be welcoming our new Youth Minister as well. Clare Naghdi, who has been working at Camp Hidden Lake in Georgia (the state, not the country) all summer and is very much looking forward to moving to Tampa and getting started with all the joys and challenges that come with impacting the lives of our young through youth ministry.

Our parish continues to grow and that is in no small part due to the hospitality and sense of community that so many of you engender. This does not mean, of course, that we are perfect, but it does mean that many people continue to find in Christ the King a true spiritual home. We always have room for more so don’t be afraid to invite your friends and neighbors, especially those who have not been to church in a while to come back to the community that the Lord Himself established. As we continue to grow and look at the future, there is some exciting news that I will be sharing with the parish next month so stay tuned.

I look forward to journeying with you during this year. Let’s face it. There are many challenges in our world and in our society today. These challenges can be daunting and at times downright scary. I recognize my own limitations. I do not pretend to have all the answers, but I know who does. His name is Jesus Christ! Let us seek to know Him better in prayer and through the Sacred Liturgy, to love Him all the more in a real, true and personal way, and to follow Him faithfully in all we do and in service to others!