Last week we had two great Generations of Faith sessions.  The focus was on vocations. I would like to thank all the people who worked so hard in putting the program together under the direction of Joanie Barclay. I was especially moved by the parishioners and guests who shared the stories of their own vocations with the group.  From single mothers to funeral directors to married couples and more, each person who spoke gave a great witness to God’s calling them to a life of service.  A special thanks to deacon Doug Peltak and Ms. Lisa Lapinski, invited guests who spoke on ministry in the church in their roles as deacon and as music and liturgy minister respectively.
        As you know our church roof was damaged during the recent wind storm.  Repairs have now been completed.  It was discovered however that such damage to the roof is likely to occur again.  The long term solution is of course to put on a new roof.  The current roof was installed in the late 1980’s I believe.  Along with the Finance Council and the archdiocesan engineers we will be looking into a course of action over the next few months.
        There has been a wonderful response to our request for donations for communion vessels.  In a future bulletin we will be able to thank those parishioners who have donated.  We will also be expanding our request for donations to include other liturgical items such as new altar server robes.  Look for this announcement in the bulletin soon.
        Please take some prayerful moments to look over our Parish Pastoral Council candidate brochure.  We will hold the PPC election next weekend during the masses. I would like to thank those parishioners who agreed to run and wish them well.  There are four seats to be filled on the Council as well as two seats for youth representatives which will be decided among the youth themselves.  Also, I will be appointing a member of the Parish Finance Council to the PPC according to archdiocesan directives.  
        We are still in search of parishioners who would be willing to serve as Special Ministers of the Eucharist for our liturgies.  This is a great way to share your love of the community with the community by being a bearer of Christ’s body and blood at communion time.  From the pews it may look like the work of a Eucharistic Minister is complicated but it really isn’t.  If you are interested please speak to me or to Joanie Barclay and we will fill you in on the details.  Also, feel free to talk with a Eucharistic Minister after mass.
         “I’d love to serve as a Eucharistic Minister but I don’t feel worthy enough, father.”  I hear this response all the time.  I try to respond that none of us are “worthy”. It’s the love and forgiveness of God that heals our wounds and sins and raises us up to “worthiness”.  Before we approach the altar we pray together “Lord I am not worthy to receive you but only say the word and I shall be healed”. So, we are all in the same boat together! Please do not let a feeling of unworthiness hinder you from becoming a Eucharistic Minister or Lector or greeter or musician or you name it! If ministry to the parish community depended on “worthiness”, how many of us would be here??