In this Sunday’s Gospel (Luke 10:38–42), Jesus visits the home of two sisters, Martha and Mary. While Martha is busy with the tasks of hospitality, Mary sits at the Lord’s feet and listens. Jesus gently reminds Martha that, though her service is good, “there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, and it will not be taken from her.”

This is not a condemnation of Martha’s service—indeed, our Church and our parish rely on many Marthas! But it is a loving invitation to each of us: to slow down, to listen, and to make room for the quiet presence of Jesus in our midst. In the busy rhythms of summer, amid travel, gatherings, and work, Christ still desires to meet us in prayer, in the Eucharist, and in our communities.

This past weekend, we were blessed by a visit from the Polish Redemptorist priests who shared their mission in the former Soviet Union. Their stories of evangelization in Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine—often with limited resources and in the face of political and social challenges—remind us that choosing “the better part” sometimes means responding to God’s call in far-off places with courage and hope. If you contributed to their mission, thank you. Your generosity supports the universal Church in places where the Gospel is still being planted and nurtured.

Here at St. Michael Parish, we are also reflecting on how to best serve and understand our own local flock. This weekend marks the beginning of our annual pew count. Along with counting attendance, we’re asking each person to write the year of their birth—anonymously—on a slip of paper. Parents, please include your children’s birth years too. This simple effort helps us better understand the makeup of our congregations. It’s easy to assume we know who comes to Mass—but the reality may surprise us! Knowing our parish demographics will help us plan more effectively: from setting up for Mass and preparing the right number of hosts to shaping programs that meet the needs of various age groups.

One such program is the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS), which several of our parishioners are being trained in right now through an intensive course hosted at St. Michael Parish. Rooted in the Montessori method and rich in Scripture and liturgy, CGS nurtures a child’s relationship with God in a calm, prayerful setting called the “Atrium.” It is not simply about teaching religious facts—it is about helping children fall in love with Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who knows them by name.

CGS also honors what the Church teaches: that parents are the primary educators of their children in the faith (cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church, §2223). But it goes further, inviting the whole parish to take part. Not everyone can be a catechist—but many can contribute by helping craft materials, supporting the Atrium, or simply praying for our catechists and children. As we begin a new partnership with St. Rose of Lima in Jay/Farmington—who have years of experience with CGS—we hope our two parishes can become a regional hub for this beautiful catechesis.

Jesus tells us that “there is need of only one thing.” This summer, as we count heads and train catechists, as we listen to missionaries and welcome families, may we keep our eyes fixed on that one thing: Christ Himself. He is here. Let us sit at His feet.