Our final full week of summer is upon us and we can most certainly see the changes happening around us. In honor of our 70th Anniversary, last weekend we shared in our first ever 5K run:walk to raise money for pro-life efforts at the Embrace Care Center (Community Pregnancy Center). The 70th Anniversary Committee worked so hard to make it all come together regardless of the weather. We are grateful for the patrons and over 130 participants. The next day we shared in our annual Parish Picnic, even though the storm might have wanted us to cancel. Thank you so much God for the gifts of our Parish Pastoral Council and for all the last minute changes that needed to be made from our intended outdoor celebration to moving everything indoors so we could still be together.
During our picnic I offered a “reveal” for our parish. Those who were there had time to look at a proposal I asked to be displayed for a new building project, The Memorare Center (in honor of St. Francis’ favorite prayer for Our Lady). Over the past eleven years, I was given the responsibility to repair and restore most every area of our parish from every building, to the nearly six acres of grounds, to every parish council/committee and group. It is what happens when a parish (or even a person) turns 70...things need to be taken care of in order to live a fruitful life. It happened not through my hands alone, but through the hearts and hands of countless people who wanted to build up the Kingdom of God through our parish. It is now time for us to not only be grateful for what we have been given from our 70 year history, but to prepare for where we are now as a Church and where He is leading us to be strengthened to serve. So after several years of prayer and seeking counsel from parish leaders and parishioners, I believe it is time to admit the fact we do not have adequate meeting places to help support our parish mission. The Memorare Center will give us what we need. Over the next several weeks I will share more details. In the meantime, we are blessed to have all that we have been given. Thank you Jesus.
Following the 6:30 p.m. Mass this Tuesday (18th) I will be gathering together in the Church with all who are participating in our fall book study, Lift Up Your Heart, A 10 Day Personal Retreat With St. Francis de Sales. We are excited to have the largest participation ever. If you are still interested in finding out more, why not meet with us this Tuesday at 7:00 p.m.? Members of our Adult Faith Formation group will be there with me to help answer any questions.
Verso l’alto, Fr. Bline
