Exiit qui seminat “The sower goes out to sow ”

First and foremost, I want to thank you all for your support and hard work to put together the 21st Annual Padre Pio Festival. I am grateful and want to thank David Saglimbeni, the parish staff, the parish clergy, the festival committee and volunteers for the countless hours of preparation and setup that goes into putting such an event together. I am especially indebted to the farming community here in Vineland for their generous donation of local produce, as well as everyone who make the festival happen. A much more comprehensive "Thank you" can be found in the church vestibule. I have a much different experience of the festival than most as I spend most of the day inside church celebrating the festival Masses in English and Italian, as well as blessing pilgrims with the glove of Padre Pio and praying with those who it's obvious are struggling and need prayers. the peace and comfort that people experience is truly edifying.  While it's rare that I can join the outside festivities until well after 3:30 in the afternoon, this festival has certainly had an impactful impression on me. Just as the festival is a wonderful experience on the parish grounds, it is even more so as the People of God gathered together in prayer. I truly love the solemnity and joy that comes with celebrating Mass at the festival and am truly humbled by the tremendous devotion of the faithful to Christ, His Church and St. Pio of Pietrelcina. I know that many shy away from the main Masses on the day of the festival because of their own responsibilities and sometimes feeling overwhelmed from the sheer amount of people who attend. I'd like to invite and encourage you to attend those Masses. They are such a wonderful experience and add so much to an already great day! It is my continued hope and prayer that your festival experience was truly faith filled and enjoyable and it is equally hope that everyone who worked so hard were able to get the rest that they so readily deserve!