Thanks for a Great Summer
This week our Summer Camp comes to a close. I have to say this summer program is something that everyone here at St. Paul should be proud of. I have been speaking with parents all summer and every single one of them was grateful for our summer camp. We have special reason to be proud of our camp counselors (High School and College students all from our parish) who worked hard to make sure our campers had a great summer. Heartfelt thanks to Mrs. Scalora and her family for this excellent program.
Anyone know an excavator ? (WOW that was quick)
As you can see, the new pavers in front of our school are almost all in. Now, when our senior citizens come to mass, they won’t have to step in a snow pile. It will also be much easier for our little ones as they get dropped off for Religious Ed or School. Thank you Connor Jones for your hard work. (Amazing! I just typed this for next Sunday’s bulletin and looked out the window. There was an excavator already digging up the remaining grass.) Maybe I should have written, “Does anyone know the winning powerball number?” Thanks to Mark Zotter and Tom Maier who are helping Connor finish his project
Two of our biggest events are coming up.
It should be no surprise to anyone that two big parish events are coming up - the Parish Picnic on September 14th and the Berlin Fair on October 4th, 5th & 6th. Both of these events are important for our parish life and take a lot of volunteers to pull them off. In the next couple of weeks we will be soliciting volunteers for both events. Please consider helping out.
KGS KGS KGS
Lest anyone think we are not being forthcoming with our plans for our new property, there were no meetings of the KGS Committee these last few weeks because we are waiting for the architect to present her proposals. Hence, we have nothing to report at this time.
Full to the Brim
Our new expanded Pre-K Program is filled to the brim. Our little school has such a great reputation that we filled up quickly over the summer. There are just over 55 little ones registered, with a few more waiting in the wings should someone drop out. Welcome to St. Paul School little ones.
9th Grade Confirmation
We have been working with a number of very dedicated parishioners to revamp our Confirmation Class one year at a time. The committee made up of concerned parents and professional educators are committed to doing the best that we can for our young people as they prepare for Confirmation. We will be announcing the new program at the 9th Grade parent’s meeting on September 16th. Once it is announced to the parents, we will put an insert into the bulletin explaining what we hope to accomplish this year.
Safety First, Safety Always
It is our intention to continue to keep our Church open during the day. I assure you we are one of the few Churches that continues to do so. I am always touched by the number of people who stop in to pray during the day. There are even people who stop by on their way to work to say a couple of prayers. As you can see, the fire alarm, security system and access control are in the process of being installed. The installers told me, “Father if we ever have a hurricane, I’m coming here to this church. The walls are thick and strong. They don’t build them like this anymore.” Sorry for the dust and for the noise when you stop by to pray.
Fr. Robert, why is this Church ….?
The other day a gentleman in church stopped me and asked, “Fr. Robert, why is the church buying all those bricks? They are very expensive.” My response was simple, “Because they are free.” Since there continues to be confusion about many of our summer projects, even after all of the times I have spoken about them and written about them, let me be more clear...
All the classrooms were painted for FREE - (*Eagle Scout Project) a value of $20,000.
Brick pavers in front of the school were installed for FREE - (Eagle Scout Project) a value of $4,000.
The new windows in the school are FREE - from a grant we received from the following corporations: CIGNA, CL & P and ConnectiCare) a value of $130,000. We are all aware that people in our town know how to share information, so spread the word, Free Free Free!!! Thanks.
Fr. Robert