FROM THE DESK OF FATHER BOB:
With the rush of the picnic, most of you didn't get to read the bulletin last week. So let me repeat what I wrote. THANK YOU, ONE AND ALL for all the hard work and sacrifice you offered for the success of our picnic. I especially want to thank Jerry Byerly, Tom Exton, Kenny Crowe, and Lynn Mattingly who coordinated the whole project. I would have to publish the whole parish list, and friends beyond the parish, in order to include everyone who had something to do with our picnic. There was a good spirit that carried the day, despite air conditioner thefts before the picnic and a damaging storm Friday night. We have a lot to be thankful for.
Rambling Thoughts: A lot of us are looking for ways in which God is calling us to grow as a parish. The Church in general, is constantly studying and praying about how to connect the mission of Christ to the needs of our times. Here are some things I believe and wonder about:
I BELIEVE God still reveals his mind and heart and desire for us, through Jesus and through our conversation with him.
I BELIEVE Jesus speaks to us in ways that we can understand, and he has a plan to fit the needs of our time.
I BELIEVE listening to Jesus and to other people is more difficult today, because we are uncomfortable with silence and addicted to busyness.
I BELIEVE the age of technology (cell phones, IPods, computers, TV) both helps and hurts communication.
I BELIEVE it's difficult to find the meaning in the Mass, if our ability to listen is hampered, and we don't have a regular relationship with Jesus or with the people with whom we go to Church.
I WONDER why many people don't feel that attending Mass is relevant to their lives.
I WONDER what we can do to make the meaning of the Mass and mission of Christ more relevant to people's lives.
I WONDER if we have lost our sense of wonder about life, which can lead us to a God who is full of wonders.
I BELIEVE that believing and wondering and listening and praying are more helpful than complaining and worrying about it.
Someone gave me this definition of PATIENCE.
Patience is the ability to idle your motor when you feel like stripping your gears. (Author, anonymous)
Here's a prayer of St. Ignatius Loyala that sums up what happens at Mass.
TAKE LORD, AND RECEIVE ALL MY LIBERTY,
MY MEMORY, MY UNDERSTANDING, AND MY ENTIRE WILL..
YOU HAVE GIVEN ME WHATEVER I AM OR POSSESS, I GIVE IT BACK TO
YOU TO BE ENTIRELY SUBJECT TO YOUR WILL..
ONLY GIVE ME YOUR LOVE AND YOUR GRACE.
WITH THESE I AM RICH ENOUGH AND ASK FOR NOTHING MORE.
AMEN
Finally, I offer a description of a common human trait:
"ANXIETY" "Worrying" gives small things big shadows."
Staff and Schedules
This information could be helpful in understanding our situation:
REGULAR OFFICE HOURS: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday thru Friday
STAFF WORK SCHEDULE:
1) Kellie Hill, Office Manager: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
2) Jan Phelps, Receptionist: Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
3) Lynn McDaniel, Coordinator of Religious Education:
Monday thru Friday, Lynn's hours vary according to evening work, and meeting away from the Office.
4) Sr. Betty Blandford, Pastoral Associate: Monday thru Thursday, some evenings, and weekends, plus
commitments to her Religious community.
5) Sr. Norma Lenenberger, Music Director: works out of her home as a part time employee.
6) David Carr, seminarian: Monday thru Thursday plus Saturday and Sunday
7) Fr. Bob, pastor: Monday thru Thursday plus evenings as needed, and Saturday and Sunday. Off on
Friday.
8) Deacon Ken Mitchell can be reached at his home phone number.
Staff is away at times for meetings, running errands, dealing with medical emergencies in their family. If you don't get an answer, please leave a message. We will make every effort to get back to you as soon as possible. Fr. Bob's emergency number is on the answering machine.