Sep 2009
From the Pastor
September/29/2009
A few weeks ago, I spoke at all the Masses regarding the serious need we have to make good on our assessment by the diocese for our 2009 Diocesan Services Appeal. With gratitude, I must thank the several individuals and families that made an immediate response to this follow up of our original appeal. Almost instantly, our deficit went down a bit, and the amount we must make up to the diocese is beginning to shrink. If we can keep up the momentum, we may solve our problem. Thank you for using the special envelope, or for marking out your pledge on different envelopes. This should help us keep down the assessment for next year as well as lower the final amount needed to make up the deficit. Understandably, this is not an easy task for many people. Yet, as Catholics, we are called upon to be steadfast in our Faith. So many people are counting on our ability to help them in their desperate situation. So we sacrifice – maybe a weekend visit to the local movie theatre (admission, large popcorn & drink, or candy = $$), or a less expensive restaurant, and park the car ourselves to save on even the tip). “To give alms is a work greater than miracles. To feed the hungry in the name of Christ is a work greater than raising the dead in Christ’s name. When you work miracles, you are God’s debtor; when you give alms, God is your debtor.” (St. John Chrysostom)
Despite many great challenges that we face today, we must find patience when we encounter difficulties that, at first, seem to be beyond our grasp. We can no longer continue to count on funds from our already depleted operating and investment accounts to meet our needs. Though there are some indicators that the nation’s overall economy is starting to show some signs of improvement, some of that won’t trickle down fast enough to shore up our own shortfall. Our parishes operate much like our own households. When our own household is unable to make necessary ends meet, we cut back on certain expenses and make the necessary sacrifices to see that it does.
By October 1st, at the strong recommendation of our Parish Finance Council, we will reduce our parish office hours, Gift Shop hours, employee working hours, and the size of our office and maintenance staff (not to mention the salary freeze and the cutback on virtually all salaries). In addition, we are completing recommendations for putting a freeze on the hiring of anyone for new ministries, and will look upon a pool of volunteers to do what needs to be done; after all, this is “The Year of the Volunteer”.
Reflecting upon volunteers, it was so good to see a band of our mothers gathered this past Wednesday in our Youth Center, folding, stuffing, labeling and overall preparing the mailing for our 10th Annual Auction, which we’ll have on Saturday, November 7th. I hope you’re planning to be with us in our Family life Center for that annual fundraiser for our parish school.
Next Sunday, we will “gather our forces and make a stand,” in a one hour commitment for Respect For Human Life. We will gather (priests, sisters, deacons and interested laity) at 2 p.m. at the intersection of Federal Highway and Linton Boulevard for this demonstration for the cause of human life (park your car on the NE corner - the lot where Carrabba’s restaurant is). We will be praying, and holding placards, ignoring the catcalls, obscene gestures or foul language of the people in cars who are violently against the pro-life movement; in fact, we’ll pray for them and the conversion of their hearts, as well as those in the $8 billion abortion industry, and the poor men and women who fall victim to the Culture of Death’s enticements.
This weekend, we are called upon once more, to open our hearts and checkbooks to help the people in another region of our universal Church (India) to meet their basic needs. Our annual Mission Appeal will be conducted by Father Thomas J. Kallumady of New York City, formerly from Balasore, India, a region where Christians are being persecuted,
their homes and churches are being burned, and financial resources are being drained because of the trouble there. May his message make us more aware of our fiduciary responsibilities in our stewardship of God’s gifts to us in this “land of the free and home of the brave.”
“To our shame, we must admit that people fear neither expense, nor even going into debt when it comes to satisfying their pleasures; but, if the poor ask them for help, they have nothing at all. This is true of so many: they have everything for the world and nothing at all for God because to them, the world is everything, and God is nothing.” St. John Mary Vianney, the parish Cure of Ars
Very Rev. Canon Tom
Despite many great challenges that we face today, we must find patience when we encounter difficulties that, at first, seem to be beyond our grasp. We can no longer continue to count on funds from our already depleted operating and investment accounts to meet our needs. Though there are some indicators that the nation’s overall economy is starting to show some signs of improvement, some of that won’t trickle down fast enough to shore up our own shortfall. Our parishes operate much like our own households. When our own household is unable to make necessary ends meet, we cut back on certain expenses and make the necessary sacrifices to see that it does.
By October 1st, at the strong recommendation of our Parish Finance Council, we will reduce our parish office hours, Gift Shop hours, employee working hours, and the size of our office and maintenance staff (not to mention the salary freeze and the cutback on virtually all salaries). In addition, we are completing recommendations for putting a freeze on the hiring of anyone for new ministries, and will look upon a pool of volunteers to do what needs to be done; after all, this is “The Year of the Volunteer”.
Reflecting upon volunteers, it was so good to see a band of our mothers gathered this past Wednesday in our Youth Center, folding, stuffing, labeling and overall preparing the mailing for our 10th Annual Auction, which we’ll have on Saturday, November 7th. I hope you’re planning to be with us in our Family life Center for that annual fundraiser for our parish school.
Next Sunday, we will “gather our forces and make a stand,” in a one hour commitment for Respect For Human Life. We will gather (priests, sisters, deacons and interested laity) at 2 p.m. at the intersection of Federal Highway and Linton Boulevard for this demonstration for the cause of human life (park your car on the NE corner - the lot where Carrabba’s restaurant is). We will be praying, and holding placards, ignoring the catcalls, obscene gestures or foul language of the people in cars who are violently against the pro-life movement; in fact, we’ll pray for them and the conversion of their hearts, as well as those in the $8 billion abortion industry, and the poor men and women who fall victim to the Culture of Death’s enticements.
This weekend, we are called upon once more, to open our hearts and checkbooks to help the people in another region of our universal Church (India) to meet their basic needs. Our annual Mission Appeal will be conducted by Father Thomas J. Kallumady of New York City, formerly from Balasore, India, a region where Christians are being persecuted,
their homes and churches are being burned, and financial resources are being drained because of the trouble there. May his message make us more aware of our fiduciary responsibilities in our stewardship of God’s gifts to us in this “land of the free and home of the brave.”
“To our shame, we must admit that people fear neither expense, nor even going into debt when it comes to satisfying their pleasures; but, if the poor ask them for help, they have nothing at all. This is true of so many: they have everything for the world and nothing at all for God because to them, the world is everything, and God is nothing.” St. John Mary Vianney, the parish Cure of Ars
Very Rev. Canon Tom
From the Pastor
September/04/2009
We remember with sadness again that day that we now refer to as “9-11.” As we pray for the memory of those who were killed in that tragedy, let us also remember in special prayer the men and women who serve each day in our armed forces all over the world, especially in those “hot spots” of Iraq and Afghanistan. They are there trying to secure freedom for people in those parts of our world that are continually under assault, often because of fanatical leaders and their mindless followers. They are always grateful for our prayers and remembrances of them.
This Monday is Labor Day, a national holiday in honor of the working force of our country. Traditionally, up north, it was the last of the summer holidays before school resumed. However, this is Florida, and the force of the holiday can easily lose its appeal because, for many, the summer vacation period has ended and our focus is removed from the season when most people take some kind of a vacation. Since it is a legal (the Office is closed) and school holiday, there is an opportunity to begin that day with morning Mass (no afternoon Mass that day). How pleasing it would be to the Lord if we were to take the time, brief as it is, and make the sacrifice of celebrating Mass instead of sleeping a little bit later. This would be a most appropriate time to come to Mass in advance of the day “9-11,” when many cannot get to church. Remember how full the churches were when we felt the pain of that day? Wouldn’t it be great to do that again? What a way to honor those who have gone on before us on that day of infamy eight years ago.
On Tuesday, September 8th, we mark the annual celebration of the Birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary. A special Rosary that day in her honor and for your intentions can go a long way in seeking her motherly care. She is a true mother who never abandons her children. Thank you to the Knights of Columbus and to our Middle School students from our EDGE program who helped serve up a delicious dinner on this past Friday’s Fish Fry. It was the first of the season, and we’ll try to keep this monthly event as much as possible (not in November due to the Auction, and not in January because it’s New Year’s Day!).
While we’re in the praying mode (and mood?), let’s also remember to pray for all priests in this “Year for Priests,” as Pope Benedict XVI has asked of us. Too often we may sell short the call to priesthood in the life of men who have tried to dedicate their lives to service to God and His people. When was the last time you prayed for priests? While we pray daily for you, we need your prayers, too! Please pray for us. Here are some prayers that you may want to clip and preserve in your wallet, pocket or prayer book.
Very Rev. Canon Tom
This Monday is Labor Day, a national holiday in honor of the working force of our country. Traditionally, up north, it was the last of the summer holidays before school resumed. However, this is Florida, and the force of the holiday can easily lose its appeal because, for many, the summer vacation period has ended and our focus is removed from the season when most people take some kind of a vacation. Since it is a legal (the Office is closed) and school holiday, there is an opportunity to begin that day with morning Mass (no afternoon Mass that day). How pleasing it would be to the Lord if we were to take the time, brief as it is, and make the sacrifice of celebrating Mass instead of sleeping a little bit later. This would be a most appropriate time to come to Mass in advance of the day “9-11,” when many cannot get to church. Remember how full the churches were when we felt the pain of that day? Wouldn’t it be great to do that again? What a way to honor those who have gone on before us on that day of infamy eight years ago.
On Tuesday, September 8th, we mark the annual celebration of the Birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary. A special Rosary that day in her honor and for your intentions can go a long way in seeking her motherly care. She is a true mother who never abandons her children. Thank you to the Knights of Columbus and to our Middle School students from our EDGE program who helped serve up a delicious dinner on this past Friday’s Fish Fry. It was the first of the season, and we’ll try to keep this monthly event as much as possible (not in November due to the Auction, and not in January because it’s New Year’s Day!).
While we’re in the praying mode (and mood?), let’s also remember to pray for all priests in this “Year for Priests,” as Pope Benedict XVI has asked of us. Too often we may sell short the call to priesthood in the life of men who have tried to dedicate their lives to service to God and His people. When was the last time you prayed for priests? While we pray daily for you, we need your prayers, too! Please pray for us. Here are some prayers that you may want to clip and preserve in your wallet, pocket or prayer book.
Very Rev. Canon Tom