August 17, 2008

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

     I just got back from a vacation in Minnesota. I attended mass in a couple of different parishes while I was there. Though I was in unfamiliar surroundings, with people I didn’t know, I felt at home because of a shared faith in the Word of God and of the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. We are truly a world-wide Church that transcends differences of location, language, and culture. I encourage you to attend a local parish when you travel.
     We welcome the children back to St. Mary’s school this week. Within the next couple of weeks all of the children of our parish will be back in school. Let’s pray for their welfare as they continue their studies.
     As most of you know I will be retiring in June of 2009.  The policy of our Diocese is to form a transition team made up of parishioners whose task is to gather information about the life of our parish that could be helpful in the selection of a new pastor, and in helping to orient the new pastor as he begins his ministry here. In the near future you will be hearing from this transition team about its work and about your opportunity to provide input and insight. See in church.

Fr Justin