Brian Riedy, pastor at Holy Trinity Memorial Lutheran Church, 604 Fourth St., Catasauqua, is a community role model and spearheads a community activist congregation. The church has been involved in numerous outreach efforts and has a rich history of teaming up with other community nonprofits to raise dollars to serve others and fulfill their social missions.

Riedy did it again Aug. 18, just before the popular Friday night outdoor concert series, held at Catasauqua Park and Playground, 501 American St. Riedy, along with his young assistant, Jack Brubaker, of Catasauqua, set up a spot that included items to be given out to kids starting the new school year - pens, a keychain ornament to place on their backpack and some candy treats.

During this Blessing of the Backpacks event, a few dozen kids showed up with their school backpacks to have them blessed and receive some positive words of encouragement as the students prepare to return for the 2023-24 school year.

Catasauqua Area School District students Jordan Antonition, in sixth grade, and Xavier Agramonte, fifth grade, received the blessing. When asked by Riedy if he wanted his backpack blessed, Jordan said, “Yes. I need it.”

Jordan expressed gratitude for his blessing.

The brief prayer and blessing asked that the heavens watch over the children, they have a safe school year and they achieve great success.

Also available was a informational booklet defining the F.A.S.T. program offered at Holy Trinity Memorial Lutheran Church.

The program runs 3:45-5:30 p.m. Mondays through Wednesdays at the church. There is a snack break 4:30 p.m.

F.A.S.T. stands for Fun After School at Trinity. There are many activities planned, such as acting, dance, art and music classes, social emotional learning, storytimes and Bible studies.

To get a F.A.S.T. booklet and for more information, call the church at 610-264-2641 or email fasthtmlcatasauqua@gmail.com.