Friday, March 15, 2013

Embracing Our Mission

Dear Parishioners,

Those of you who were at Mass last weekend know that we have started a project with the Archdiocese called Embracing Our Mission. It’s a capital campaign to address some needs here in the parish and throughout the archdiocese. I welcome this opportunity as it gives me a chance to meet with a number of you to share the vision of our parish and the archdiocese. But more importantly, it gives me an opportunity to get to know a number of you in a more personal way, other than a friendly greeting at the church doors, on the parking lot, or in Lauer’s. So far, I have met with a small number of couples who have, in the course of our meeting, shared a bit of their personal history including their faith experiences. I have found it to be a very beautiful and humbling experience. I look forward to many more such meetings. Obviously I can’t meet with everyone, so I have recruited some volunteers in the initial phase of the campaign, but will need more in the future. We will let you know when. In the meantime, when you get a call, please be kind. It’s a wonderful opportunity to meet and get to know some of your brother and sister parishioners. Although our goal is significant, I am very confident we will not only reach it, but surpass it. You are a faith-filled and generous people. In the next few months, I ask you to pray for the success of our campaign.

Finally, as Lent comes to an end, we hear the gospel of the woman caught in adultery and the great mercy Jesus extends to the woman (John 8:1-11). You, too, can encounter the mercy of Jesus in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Come with your family on Wednesday evening from 7-8:30pm, Saturday from 3:30-4:30pm, or call the rectory for a private appointment. Also, please pray that those who have been away from the Church for a long time will come back home to Jesus.

- Fr. Carl