“Celebrating God’s Gifts” is the theme for a four-evening parish mission beginning on Sunday, Oct. 7, at St. Pius X Church. Services will begin at 7 p.m. each evening through Wednesday, Oct.10. All are invited to attend.

The mission will be led by Father James Friedel, an Augustinian priest who has a down-to-earth approach to spirituality and uses a storytelling style designed to help everyone realize a deepened experience of God’s love.

“A parish mission is like spring-cleaning the home,” said Father John Kieran, pastor. “It’s a time to look at the state of our inner home and make the necessary adjustment. Father Friedel will lead us in a ‘makeover’ of our lives, so that we may be more receptive to God’s gifts.”

Each of the four sessions of Scripture, prayer, preaching and music will focus on a different aspect of God’s generosity. The gift of God’s love, the gift of God’s forgiveness, the gift of the parish, and the gift of the Eucharist are themes that will be explored during the mission. Each evening will conclude with a time for fellowship.

Ordained in 1965, Father Friedel has served as parish priest and pastor on the southwest side of Chicago. Through his ministry he has been involved in establishing a strong sense of parish community centered on the Eucharist. His parish was organized into small faith communities to more fully realize the meaning of church as well as to affirm the racial and ethnic diversity of the parish neighborhood. It is this background that has formed the foundation of his belief in parish life.

Father Friedel is affiliated with the Augustinians of the Midwest, whose members are part of the Order of Brothers of St. Augustine, an international Catholic religious community founded in 1244. He is one of 107 priests and brothers in this order who work in preaching and teaching, spiritual direction and counseling, parish, campus and hospital ministries, theological research and in the arts and sciences.

The church is located at 2621 Georgia Highway 20 in Conyers. Babysitting will be available upon request.