KGS Committee is formed
This week the new KGS Committee was formed. Their tasks include the following:
1. Make sure the property is cleaned up / safe and as usable as possible.
2. Work to create both a proximate and long term vision for the property. In other words how will we use the 2.9 acres of now, once the building is torn down and in the long term.
3 Solicit bids and help to come up with a plan to remediate and demolish the building.
4. Liason with the Town of Berlin through the whole process.
Parishioners are welcome to email us and we will forward your ideas to the committee ([email protected]). The members of the committee are Donald Lombardo, Ed Janik, Jim Newman, David Cyr, Robert Fischer, Bart Bovee and Diane Funk. I am most grateful to the members of the KGS committee for their willingness to serve the parish in such an important endeavor.
It’s a Monumental Task for Sure
Our Parish database needs work. No one can remember the last time it was updated. There are people who are 40 years old still listed as dependants in their parent’s home. Many of the phone numbers don’t have the 860 area code attached. The challenges go on and on and on. Linda Guzzardi and over 20 parishioners have taken up the task of deleting the old information and adding the new. They have already been working for weeks and are making progress “slowly but surely”. In the next couple of weeks another batch of census forms will be mailed out. When you get your form please take the time to read it over, clearly make any corrections that are needed and drop it in the collection basket or at the Parish Center. If your records are correct, please sign and return it anyway. That way we can take your name off the list. Thank you. Having an up to date list of parishioners is essential.
All is quiet on the playground
It has been so quiet around here this last week. I missed hearing all of the happy voices outside my office window. On Tuesday I couldn’t snooze in my chair because there was something amiss (no kids running, laughing and screaming). We are very blessed to have so many little ones in our parish. I am very gratified by the support the parish so willingly provides to our children no matter where they go to school.
And while we are talking about young people, this week our Youth Ministers put together a great penance service for the High School kids in our youth group. This was a first for St. Paul’s and it was a privilege for us to have a couple minutes to touch base with some of our kids. In the future, the Youth Group hopes to participate in the Relay for Life and the Memorial Day Parade. A special thank you to our Youth Ministers and those who help them.
Workshop and then Buffalo
This week I am attending a Franciscan Workshop on parish ministry and then I have to go to Buffalo again to clean out and clean up Mom’s apartment. We have to be out by the 1st of May. It’s not an easy task to be sure. Everything you see has a memory attached to it but it has to get done and we will do it. I am very grateful to everyone here at St. Paul for their understanding and support. No one has complained that I have been away too much. Everyone just chips in and fills in for me. I am particularly grateful to Fr. Raymond and Fr. Peter who cover for me when I am gone. Once I was in Buffalo taking care of my Mom I never had to worry about St. Paul’s. I always know it is in good hands.
Online Giving
Last year 10% of our Offertory Collection came in through our Online giving program. In the near future all online givers will be receiving a letter with some “I gave on line cards” Simply keep them in you car and or purse and throw one in when the ushers come around. Many people have expressed discomfort about not putting anything in the collection basket when it comes around, even though they give online. The letters to our Online givers will be coming out this week and next and they are self explanatory. If you have any questions please call the Parish Office.