The Envelope Please...
Never forget, “to err is human, but to forgive is divine.” O.K., we are human, very human. About a month ago, one of our most dedicated staff members sent the address list to the envelope company like she always does every two months with no problem. This time, however, instead of sending the current list, somehow our address list from last March was sent and no one noticed. Then one day the postman came to the office with a tray of undeliverable mail, and the phone started ringing. Obviously, all of our new members did not get envelopes (that's 90 families). Some people in heaven got envelopes. Some couples who were married this last year got matching sets, his and her envelopes. There was confusion, confusion, confusion. We are doing our best to fix this mess and a list of everyone who did not get envelopes has been sent to the company. Some people were even offended. Some how they convinced themselves that we messed this up on purpose. I assure you we did not do this on purpose and it was certainly not a premature April Fools joke... Remember “to forgive is divine.”
And while we are talking about envelopes….
Our online giving program is growing every week. As you can see in the bulletin each week, people donate over $1000 a week through online giving. For now we will continue to send envelopes to those who give on line. Some people who give online like to put an envelope in the collection basket like everyone else. If you give on line and still want to receive envelopes, simply check the box that says I gave online and throw your envelope in the basket. If you do not want to receive envelopes, simply call or email the office and we will remove your name from the envelope list.
Inspiring Excerpts from the confirmation letters of our young people. (I always love to read these letters)
“...A few months ago I never thought I would be sitting here, and typing this letter to you. I grew up in a Catholic family with no other choice. Not too long ago, we had our 10th grade retreat. I was saying my prayers before to find some excuse not to go. I do not exaggerate in the smallest way when I say that Shawn Forest changed my life and you would not have this paper if it were not for him and my 10th Grade Confirmation Retreat ...The reason I should be confirmed Father is because I want to be considered an adult of St. Paul Catholic Church. I come with a lot of baggage and no I'm not on my knees every night thanking God for my life, but I’m going to try to be the person that God wants me to be...” (My comments... What more could God or we ask ?)
“ Dear Father Robert, Over the years of my religious journey I have learned many new things about our Catholic religion and Jesus. I have also begun to pray and by praying come to know even more about my faith. I have also learned that being an active member of the parish means going to church every week and not just once in awhile... I would like to take the final step in my faith and be confirmed. I’m ready and I really want this.” (My comments … Beautiful! See you in Church after Confirmation.)
“ The day I make my Confirmation will be a day I will always remember. And when the time comes, I will get married in a Catholic church, hopefully Saint Paul’s; and if I have kids they will attend religious classes, not because they like it. I remember what religious classes felt like when I was a kid, but hopefully when they grow up they will be able to appreciate it as much as I do now. I have once heard this quote, “ You can tell the size of your faith by looking at your worry list. The longer your list, the smaller your God.” (My comments... I’ll have to remember that quote.”)
Parking Parking Parking Parking Parking Parking....
Ever since I gave the annual report on the parish, I have been receiving a lot of suggestions on how to help alleviate our problems. I assure you I am listening, even when I am surrounded by people coming in or leaving the church. So far people have suggested Valet parking, angled parking on some of the side streets, a parking garage, reconfiguring the lines in our current parking lot to provide more spaces, having a shuttle bus from local businesses, buying or leasing some property from our neighbors, parish-wide car pooling, building the already approved parking lot by our school on Grove Hill etc.. After every Mass I go to the office and write all of the suggestions down that people are sharing. I promise I will review each and everyone of them with the Archdiocese and with the committees working on the project.