Dear Parishioners,
Thanksgiving is near and I’m looking forward to being with my family for a few days. It’s a special time to break from the daily schedule of work to be with family and friends. While we do that, we should keep in mind that the intention of this holiday is to give thanks, and for Christians thanksgiving starts with God. Consequently, I’m happy to say that you will have multiple opportunities to attend Mass that morning. You can choose which Mass you attend based on your preference of parish or time: St. Peter (8am), Resurrection (9am), St. Mary (10am).
On the topic of thanksgiving, I’m very grateful for those from our three parishes who have given to the Diocesan Capital Campaign! Your generosity is inspiring to me and to many others. With your financial contribution, I pray that you experience the joy of knowing you are contributing to the formation and development of future generations. Also inspiring to me is that every parish in our Diocese either has already, or will be, securing financial resources for future ministry. It is truly a group effort serving the common goal of our faith.
There are daily reminders all around us of the need for God’s truth and love to be a greater part of people’s lives. It is very hopeful and encouraging to know that we can make a positive difference in the lives of others, beginning first with our children and then the surrounding community. That is why I’m particularly excited about the Emerging Disciples and Forming Our Lay Leaders pillars of our current capital campaign. They will provide funding to ensure Catholic formation of both the youth and adults in our parishes for many years to come. I can’t think of anything more important than this.
Three weeks ago I shared with you the origins of this current fundraising campaign. Then last week we priests shared at each of the Masses how some of the money generated would be used for campus projects. From this we see that although the campaign is being run by the Diocese, every parish benefits from the money raised. As I mentioned, I’m very happy that we are planning for the future instead of just the day-to-day operations of our parishes.
If you have not yet made a 5-year pledge to this effort, please consider doing so in the next few weeks. Every parish household is asked to give something toward this effort. We priests are asked to consider a 5-year pledge of $6,000 to $12,000. I can happily say the average gift from priests has been at the upper end of this range. It is a sacrifice for us but we know it is a worthwhile cause. I hope you experience the same.
As we move closer to the much needed holiday of Thanksgiving, let’s be grateful to God for all the blessings we receive each day. Let us offer prayers of Thanksgiving and consider a sacrificial gift in thanksgiving for the future work of our parishes.
Gratefully,
Fr. Miller