September 2004

Dear Parishioner,

The time for our annual effort to re-commit our parish to stewardship is here again. I believe it is timely that we celebrate stewardship as we look forward to the completion of our new Church. And before reflecting on the challenges of stewardship, I would like to once again thank all those who made the new Church and Parish Activity Center possible: all those who contributed to the Building Fund drive, all those contributed regularly building up our parish reserves, all those who contributed to the Challenge in Changing Times campaign, the Home and School Association, and the Knights of Columbus.

As in the past few years, we use the occasion of the feast of St. Matthew to celebrate our stewardship commitment. And while a million changes are happening around us, we will still need volunteers to help us with the celebrations of our liturgy, to help us with the instruction of our children, to help us reach-out in compassion to the needy of our community, and to help us with the administration of our daily affairs. Everyone is invited, then, to reflect on the gifts entrusted to them by our loving God and to place those gifts in service of others. “Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received.” [1 Peter 4:9]

Once again, we will host the ministry “fair” after each of the Masses of Saturday and Sunday, September 25-26. The following social events will be held in the atrium of the Activity Center: The 5 p.m. Saturday Mass will be followed by a "finger food" reception and the 8 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. Sunday Masses will be followed with a donuts and coffee reception. The Noon and 5 p.m. Sunday Masses will be followed by an ice cream social located in the old gym. All are welcome.

Once again, as we celebrate stewardship let us also celebrate our call to be what we proclaim: One Parish, One Family, One Journey.

Sincerely,

Father Paul A. Noble