The school year is about to begin for many of you, or it has already begun, or will begin soon. I ask your prayers for all students, teachers, administrators, coaches, staff, and anyone involved in making our centers of learning safe and ready to start the new year. I also ask your prayers for all parents, grandparents, guardians, and all those who care for anyone starting pre-K through graduate school. Here is one of my favorite prayers for this occasion, found on p. 824 of the Prayer Book:

O Eternal God, bless all schools, colleges, and universities, that they may be lively centers for sound learning, new discovery, and the pursuit of wisdom; and grant that those who teach and those who learn may find you to be the source of all truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

I believe we all continue to teach and learn even after we have finished school. Let us always ground ourselves in God as we continue the pursuit of wisdom. To get our own folks ready for the year, I will offer our annual Backpack Blessing at the 10:30 service on Sunday, September 10. This is for backpacks, supplies, teachers, and students of any age. I hope everyone has a great year!

In addition to keeping all those in school in your prayers, I ask that you continue to pray for the people of Maui still recovering from the devastation caused by wildfires. As I write this, there is news of more fires in Northern California and a hurricane moving toward Southern California and Mexico. Relief efforts are being put in place, and will continue to be put in place, to help all those affected by these fires and storms. Please check with Episcopal Relief and Development for the latest updates of how we can help. 

Please, also, continue to pray for one another, for our Cathedral family, the nation, and the world.

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