I cannot begin to tell you of the nervousness I felt when I was advised it was time to come to the people of Saint Francis and ask for support for a new space to support our parish life and outreach. Short of doing something that was required for the needs of the diocese, I am sure you could tell how nervous I was to ask you to pray over the idea of creating The Memorare Center. Even if people agreed it was a good idea, we would still have to come up with the necessary funds to make it happen. Although we just started to ask for the support at Christmas, I received some amazing news from our parishioner-advisory committee. As of the first week of February, we have been pledged $754,868! I know...I can hardly believe that we have such a commitment from so many in such a short time. This means we have a little more than half of what we need to build the actual center...wow, such grace! As I said a month ago at all the Masses, I do not want to keep asking or expecting, but I do thank you for making something that seemed like it could never happen, seem like it actually could become a reality. The pledges/contributions can be made all at once or over a three-year period. If you need to speak to someone from The Memorare Center committee or the finance council or myself with regard to how you might be able to help, please give me a call. Pray that whatever happens, it is for the glory of God. Thank you for your sacrifices.
This week I am blessed to spend some time with The Sisters of Life (an annual gift I get to experience). If you do not know about these Sisters, please do a little research at www.sistersoflife.org. They are a treasure for our Church and for our nation at the time our legislators and those in office are struggling so much with what we have as real rights and what we have no right to do at all. How fitting it is the Sisters of Life are in New York...the state that needs God’s grace to grow in respecting the dignity of all human life from the moment of conception. Pray for these holy women of God to lead us.
Pax, Fr. Bline
