As Fall draws near and the school year begins for many children and young people, we pray that you enjoyed some rest and relaxation during the summer months. We were busy working on our annual “Three Minutes a Day” book of daily stories and reflections, and we are happy to report that it is at the printer! Copies should arrive by early October, so our devoted readers (and hopefully some new readers, too) can order their copies.

        The Christophers’ Fall appeal will soon be mailed, along with our Christopher Highlights newsletter, in which we detail our most recent activities. We are so grateful for the support you give us for all that we do, and we love to hear from those who use our materials to bring hope into the world. For instance, Nancy, who works in campus ministry at a university, recently wrote to say, “We received all of the wonderful Christopher News Notes yesterday…The ones you sent, along with the prayer cards, are absolutely perfect for our college students.”

        We extend that thanks to our donors for making it possible to support important ministries, such as those that reach young adults. In his homily at the Mass for the Jubilee of Young People this past summer, Pope Leo XIV said, “Dear young people, aspire to great things, to holiness, wherever you are. Do not settle for less. Then you will see the light of the Gospel grow every day, within you and around you.”

        The Christophers find joy in working to support the mission of the Church to inspire young people to make the world a better place. We hope that all who work with young adults will find the support they need in their efforts to prepare the next generation of leaders in our society to serve God and fulfill our Holy Father’s call to pursue great things in their lives.

        In his columns this month, Father Dougherty looks at the lives of two saints: St. John Chrysostom, whose feast we celebrate on Sept. 13—and St. Vincent De Paul, whose feast is celebrated on Sept. 27. St. Vincent is well-known for his acts of charity, and he inspires us to this day with wisdom like, “Extend mercy toward others, so that there is no one in need whom we meet without helping.”

Extending mercy to others is a sentiment we remember on the anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks. All those who suffered loss still need God’s healing and consolation, so may we all be a source of these virtues in their lives.