Letter to the Families - August 2026
Welcome Month: The Church welcomes You; Christ calls You
Dear families of Saints Peter and Paul, as we begin the month of August, the Church invites us to contemplate the Immaculate Heart of Mary, a model of faith, listening, and complete openness to God’s will. May this month be for every household a time of spiritual renewal, simple prayer, and deep trust in the maternal protection of the Blessed Virgin.
The Holy Father offers us this intention for August: “Let us pray that in large cities often marked by anonymity and loneliness we find new ways to proclaim the Gospel, discovering creative paths to build community.” August arrives with a beautiful invitation from the Church: to open our doors, widen our hearts, and welcome all whom the Lord sends. As our pastoral plan reminds us, this month is dedicated to evangelization in the city, especially reaching out to those who have drifted away and may be searching for a way back.
In our pastoral reality, this intention speaks directly to our mission. We live surrounded by fast rhythms, inner distances, and challenges that can isolate people. For this reason, August will be for our community the Welcome Month: The Church welcomes you, Christ calls you. We want our parish to be a place where every person feels seen, known, and loved. Throughout the month, we will live this mission in concrete ways: Public evangelization events in parks and neighborhoods - Testimonies during Mass about personal encounters with Christ - Warm invitations to new parishioners, returning families, and recent immigrants - A renewed Hospitality Ministry to accompany those seeking community.
Our hope is simple yet profound: to create first contact with those who are distant and to open a path toward deeper belonging.
I invite every family to become a living sign of welcome: a kind word, an invitation, a smile, a gesture of closeness. This is how the Gospel is built in daily life.
May the Immaculate Heart of Mary teach us to welcome with joy and accompany with compassion, and love as Christ does. May this August be a time of grace, reunion, and new beginnings for our entire parish family.
With all my love and blessings in Christ,
Father Sebastien SASA, PhD, MPA
Pastor of Saints Peter Paul Catholic Church
West Valley City, UT
Riviere-du-Loup (Quebec), Saturday, August 1st, 2026 - Memorial of Saint Alphonsus Liguori
Family Prayer Card – August 2026
Merciful Father, we entrust our families to You, that under the protection of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, they may grow in faith, hope, and love.
During this Welcome Month, make every home a place of peace, where listening is sincere, hospitality generous, and the presence of Christ guides every choice.
Bless those arriving for the first time, those returning after time away, and those seeking a place to be loved. May our parish community become for them a living sign of Your tenderness.
Saints Peter and Paul, intercede for our families that they may live the joy of the Gospel and build community with creativity and courage.
Amen.
Family Reflection Handout – August 2026
WELCOME MONTH: THE CHURCH WELCOMES YOU; CHRIST CALLS YOU
Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
The Church welcomes you; Christ calls you. Inspired by the Pastoral Letter, this month we want every home to be a place where faith is lived simply, where hospitality is genuine, and where the Immaculate Heart of Mary guides our choices.
The family is the first place where we learn to love, evangelize, forgive, and build community. In a world marked by fast rhythms and loneliness, our homes can become oases of peace and closeness.
This Welcome Month is an invitation to open our hearts, welcome with joy, and accompany with tenderness.
· How can I show more love through my daily actions?
· Am I truly listening when someone shares their concerns?
· Are we making time to be together without distractions?
· Are we welcoming and compassionate toward others?
· How does our faith inspire our family life?
· What concrete step can I take this month to make my home a place of greater love, peace, dialogue, and unity?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your presence, guidance, and blessings throughout this time together. Grant us wisdom in our decisions, peace in our hearts, and strength to serve others with kindness and love. May we go forward with faith, hope, and gratitude, trusting in Your care each day.
Amen.