Greetings in Christ, all! I pray that Jesus blesses each of us with a deeper hunger for holiness this Lenten Season and that He keeps us from discouragement and compels us to push forward!
This week, our Lenten homilies will focus on The Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy: “Visit the Sick” and “Comfort the Sorrowful.” May Jesus guide our words and thoughts so that we preach His challenge well!
Speaking of a challenge… I want to take a moment here and remind us about the Stewardship for Saints and Scholars campaign. I told some of you that we hit our goal and it turns out I was mistaken. We are, at this point, $80,000 away from hitting the goal the diocese set for us.
I’m asking everyone who is thinking of participating to please consider doing so sooner rather than later; it would help us so much.
Beyond the diocese goal for us, we were hoping to raise $600,000 more to fund our new building that is going up right now. At this point, it doesn’t look like we will even come close to that. I understand and appreciate so much all who have given, all who have prayed and even those who simply felt like they couldn’t support this in good conscience. I trust you and I trust your judgment. Honestly, I hate asking for money and I’m sorry to pester you all about these things, but obviously, donations are the only way for us to fund our parish.
Currently, fewer than 40% of our parishioners donate financially in any way. To be clear, I know some simply can’t right now, and I promise I get that. I don’t want anyone to think of this as a place where you have to “pay to pray.” No, we come to Jesus with what we have, not what we don’t have. What I am asking is for everyone who can, please help. The only way we can pay our employees or maintain the buildings and lawn, and the only way we can minister to people in need of sacraments or help, is through you. If you do not currently give, but believe you can, please consider setting up a monthly or weekly donation; it would help so much. Thank you with all my heart.
On a final note, I’ve received a couple of letters from the same person in the last few weeks with concerns or reports, but whoever it is, they forgot to sign them. If you have any concerns about me, the school, the parish or any other such thing, it’s best to remember to put your name on it; that would help me follow up.
Okay, that’s it for this week! Jesus bless you all and thank you so much for letting me be your priest. I’m a blessed man because of you and I know it.
Fjk