I Need To Be Crystal Clear
The Church requires that Baptismal / Confirmation Sponsors be practicing Catholics. The Law of the Church and the Archdiocesan Guidelines are very clear. These are not my rules or guidelines of St. Paul Church. They have been given to us by the Church and we have to be faithful to them.
We all agree that there are lots of people who are not practicing Catholics who would make great mentors for our children. However, the title of Godparent, as the name implies, involves much more than being a mentor. When a person accepts the honor of being a Godfather or Godmother, they are accepting a very important spiritual obligation which requires a clear understanding and acceptance of the faith they are being called to protect and promote. How can a person commit to help keeping the flame of faith alive in a child’s heart if they don’t believe or practice our faith themselves.?
In the future when a person requests a Baptism, they will be sent a packet explaining what needs to be done before the Baptism can be scheduled. From now on, every family will be expected to attend any required Baptismal preparation classes (first time parents only) and submit completed Sponsor Forms before the Baptism can be scheduled. The guidelines of the Church are meant to protect the spiritual well being of any child baptized in the Catholic Church. Thank you for your cooperation.
Italian Night
I want to thank Anne Reilly and everyone on the committee who worked on Italian Night. It was an amazing event and raised much more money than usual for the social outreach programs of the Church. Thank you so much for your generosity. Next year, we will continue to support those in need and we will expand the scope of the event to also support youth initiatives which enhance the spiritual lives of our young people and/or help them serve the needs of the poor. Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!
Potatoes, green beans, stuffing and lots of good things
I have been so touched by the parade of people who have been coming to Church all week dropping off food. The other night I went to lock the Church and when I pushed on the swinging door to enter the vestibule of the old church, it wouldn’t open because of all of the food that had been left for the poor. We have such a generous parish and there will be people who will have food aplenty because of your generosity.
Some Phone Calls / Conversations this week....
Why are you so loud at Mass ?
My Response.. ( My Mom is hearing impaired so we naturally raised our conversation level in our family so she could hear. I apologize if I am too loud, but after all these years I don’t seem to be able to turn down the volume.)
Why are married Episcopalian priests being allowed to minister as priests in the Catholic Church ?
My Response.... (That decision was made by people much holier and important than me.)
Why are you so mean and unbending?
My Response.... (I try not to be mean and unbending, but I have been asked to be the Pastor of St. Paul Church and follow the guidelines the Church gives me. It would be so much less stressful and easy if I just broke the rules and made exceptions when anyone hollered at me, but then I would not be faithful to the Church I love or the people I have been called to serve.)
6:45 AM - Father, someone left the organ on overnight. That’s
wasting electricity?
My Response.... ( I asked Jeff to turn it off.)
Thanks for the College Care Packages; our kids were so very touched.
My Response.... (You are most welcome.)
Father, do you like homemade Pizza?
My Response.... (Can’t you tell?)