From the Pastor: September 8, 2024
Dear Parishioners,
To those of you who have been away for the summer months, welcome back! For those who remained in the City throughout the summer, congratulations! You survived another hot one. And to those who join us remotely through our livestreamed Masses, we are blessed by your remote presence at our celebrations of the Eucharist.
As in the past, the pace of things at the parish may have eased, but the work of the parish continued without interruption. The parish staff and many of the ministries of the parish were hard at work. I am grateful for the dedication of our Hospitality Ministers, Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, and altar servers throughout the summer. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul continued its good work. Many who are involved with our parish ministries gathered at social events to recharge their batteries and plan for the coming year.
I am also grateful for the dedication of the parish priests who diligently worked in the vineyard of our parish and enjoyed time away for their annual retreats and vacations. Father Mathew Bomki, SJ joined us for the months of July and August to help with our daily and weekend Mass schedule. He has returned to Edinburgh to continue his doctoral studies in biblical theology.
Allow me now to report on a few things that occurred during the summer months. The Second Annual Parish Art Show was held 20-23 June. In addition to the ammunition box icons of Ukrainian artists, Oleksandr Klymenko and Sofia Atlantova, more than 70 works of art created by parishioners were displayed and offered for sale. The total amount raised in support of the parish was $8,788. Mark your calendars for next year’s Third Annual Art Show which will be held on 8-11 May 2025, just in time to buy your Mother’s Day gift!
Now that you may be marking your calendar, please circle these other dates:
· 6 October 2024, Care of Creation Prayer Service
· 9 October 2024, Courageous Women of Faith Presentations
· 17 October 2024, New Parishioners’ Reception
· 22 October 2024, Ministry Appreciation Dinner
· 2 November 2024, Blessing of the Sneakers at the conclusion of the 5:30 PM Mass
· 7 December 2024, Annual Snow Ball Dance
The summer was also a time to take a closer look at the major capital needs of the parish, mostly the sound system in the church, the lighting inside the church and narthex, and the repair and/or redesign of the front doors of the church. Consultants were hired in each of these areas. In the near term, we will have additional speakers installed in the church that will allow for a balanced distribution of sound throughout the church. As the reports of our consultants are submitted, I will report to you on what can be done, and what we can afford to do, to enhance the lighting inside the church and resolve the malfunctioning of the mechanical system that frequently prevents the opening of the bronze front doors of the church.
Now that our Vision Statement Implementation Plan has been distributed, we will begin in earnest with new initiatives and expanded scopes for many of our parish ministries. That is not to say that over the summer months there has been no movement in the implementation of exciting new programming. The Laudato Si’ Care of Creation Ministry organized a neighborhood park clean-up. Probably the most exciting thing to anticipate in 2025 is the parish trip to Rome for the Holy Year, a Pilgrimage of Hope. There has already been a high level of interest shown by parishioners. Also in the planning stage is a trip to South Africa that will be co-sponsored by the parish and our Turkish Muslim friends at Peace Island Institute. This is one of the many programs being planned by the Ignatian Interfaith Ministry.
As we begin again, I invite you to roll up your sleeves and get involved. We are truly blessed to have an extraordinary parish precisely because of the dedication and commitment of all of you. As we look forward to the future, let us be filled with hope and joy, knowing that all that we do is for the greater glory of God.
Sincerely in the Lord,
Fr. Yesalonia