From the Pastor:
Hopefully your summer has begun well and you have plans for rest and relaxation. I’m certainly looking for ways to do so, otherwise this wonderful time of year will be gone before we know it. There is much to do, but we need to take time each day to enjoy the blessings God gives us, even if that is only for a few minutes. It’s surprising how powerful that can be. For me, these special times throughout the day include prayer. It is when we break from the busyness of life to enjoy the goodness of God and the peace of knowing we are bringing God’s blessing on other people.
This week is the first of our Tri-Parish Vacation Bible School (VBS) programs for the children of our parishes and our communities. Currently there are over 60 youth registered! We should never underestimate the power of introducing people more and more to God. Our youth need this as much as the food and drink they take into their bodies each day. Helping them to understand who God is, what Heaven is, and their lives in the context of both is extremely important. Our lack of understanding of these is why humanity is suffering so greatly. Let’s each of us do our part with these each day.
One of the ways to help with this is your financial giving to the work of the Church, both at the local level of our parishes, but also at the Diocesan level through the Annual Catholic Appeal. Our financial contributions to both of these are greatly appreciated, and much needed, by all the people we serve in doing the work of God. I’m profoundly grateful for what has been given, but also ask that you consider what you might to able to contribute to the parish reaching its ACA goal for this year. Currently, $62,453 – Resurrection Parish is at 56% of its $17,500.
Just as a reminder, the Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA) indirectly provides for the essential needs of parishes through the Bishop and his staff of people. Again, the services they provide are essential to the good work in our parishes and every parish throughout our diocese. Their assistance is often not seen directly, but critical in what we do. The various resources they provide range from spiritual to financial, sacramental to legal, government rules and regulations, and even helping to arrange and coordinate sports for our youth.
The ACA is critical in recruiting and training of future priests and deacons. Each parish must do its part with this, including helping with the financial cost which remains almost entirely at the diocesan level. It’s a long process from beginning to end before a man is ordained either a priest or deacon. We will be blest with a seminarian being with us for almost an entire year, beginning this August. I’ll provide more information about this later this month.
Thanks for your prayers and financial support, both in the past and that which is yet to come.
Gratefully,
Fr. Miller