A Few Simple Words…..
You Were Right, We Were Wrong
Last year, when we decided to try yearly missalettes, our intentions were good. We thought it would be good for the environment. We hoped that it would be a lot less work because we would not have to change them every quarter. We were under the impression that there were more songs available and that every song in the old quarterly missalettes would be in the yearly edition. Being honest, from the very beginning people started to complain about the new missalettes. Some thought they were too heavy. Others were concerned that they would not last a whole year. Yep, we had the best of intentions, but the experiment did not work out. Many of the books are missing covers, even though several good intentioned parishioners took them home and tried to repair them. In spite of this, they are still falling apart, especially in the Old Wing. All of this said, we are now considering other options to see what we can do. Thanks for your patience and understanding.
St. Paul Media
The St. Paul Media page is the second most viewed page on our website. Well over 1000 unique viewers watched our “Demo Cam” as the KGS building came down. More people than I ever dreamed possible watch our Mass online. Several have complained that sometimes it is difficult to hear the Mass when you watch it. After a lot of investigating, we found a company to help us stream all of our Masses over the web and some of our Build Up Faith Seminars. The quality will be much better and all of the Masses will be archived. The sound for these “broadcasts” will be fed directly from our public address system and should make it much easier to hear. Thanks for your patience and we’ll keep you posted.
Thank You
Fr. Peter wanted me to thank everyone involved with his good-bye celebration. It was very touching to see so many people come to say good-bye. He was especially excited about the Peanut Brittle from Munsons. A special Thank You to Pat and Ray Kalentkowski, for the overall planning. Thank you, also, to everyone who volunteered to make this such a memorable event. God Bless You All !!!
Bricks, Bricks, Bricks and Trees, Trees, Trees
Don’t forget to pick up your bricks. The pile is usually replenished just before the end of the work day. I have met so many people from town
over at the work site. A lot of people stop by to
share stories and reminisce. The Historical Society has had someone onsite all day, and even some evenings, sharing stories and information with people who stop by. I would say that most of the people who stop to chat understand that there was just no saving the building. There is also a lot of excitement about how the new Parish Green and parking lot will look. Remember, it won’t be completely finished until all of the pledges are in. Sadly, many, if not all, of the old trees will also have to come down to make room for our new trees. It is certainly in our plan to plant lots of shade trees about the edge of the Parish Green. The experts tell me that a new tree cannot grow in the shade of an old tree. Some of the current trees find themselves in the middle of our future parking spaces or driveways. Some of them are planted toward the center of the green where our children will play and the parish will gather to pray and celebrate. It will be sad to look out the friary window and see them gone. I assure you that in a few years there will be a veritable forest of new trees all over our Parish Green.
Wednesday Morning
This morning I watched Fr. Peter drive away. He was tired from packing his truck and getting up so early, but he had to beat the traffic and get to Baltimore before 12 Noon. It was so good to see all the parishioners and members of our Youth Group help him load his truck. When we said good-bye, he told me that he was excited and a little nervous about his new ministry. I remember my first few transfers as a friar well. When you are young, it is a wonderful thing to begin anew every couple of years and try something different. It’s a chance to leave your mistakes behind and start over. Young friars are like sponges. Each ministry and ministry site give them new joys and challenges. As Fr. Peter said in his good-bye homily, “Every place molds us and shapes us.” I know many of us will miss Fr. Peter, but as in any family, it’s time to let him go and begin anew.. that’s what young people do. Every family knows that you simply have to let them go. God’s speed Fr. Peter.