Next weekend, September 25/26, we welcome to our parish Father William Ryan to preach at all the Masses.  Fr. Ryan is “one of our own”, a priest of the Archdiocese of Washington who grew up in Kensington and for the past 15 years has served as a missionary in Togo, West Africa.  He is the founding pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, whose territory includes over three dozen villages in a large poverty-stricken rural area.  The mission combines works of development such as wells, a medical clinic, agricultural projects and schools with the church’s primary mission of evangelization. Over 1000 students attend eight schools that the mission has built.  Last year 79 catechumens were baptized and received their First Communions, and this year 133 candidates received Confirmation. Please take a look at the mission’s website at togomissionparish.org.  At the Masses Fr. Ryan will be telling us more about the works of the mission and will make an appeal for our help. You can also watch two videos Fr. Ryan has had created - one is an interview with Fr. Ryan, the other shows scenes from his mission. I am sure you will agree that this is truly a worthwhile cause. Checks should be made payable to St. Bartholomew Church with memo line Togo Mission.  Please be as generous as you are able (Fr. Mark).