A THANK YOU NOTE FROM YOUR PASTOR.
It was veterans’ day. I celebrated the Holy Eucharist for all the veterans both living and dead and thank the Lord for the dedicated people of this nation. After my breakfast I sat in my recliner with a pen and writing pad to compose a thank you note to my friends on Thanksgiving Day.
I invite all to gather on Thanksgiving Day Holy Eucharistic celebration at 9.00 am on Nov. 26, 2009. Let us come together to thank the good Lord for innumerable and uncountable blessings we receive.
When I think of those who deserve gratitude in our parish I realize there is a long list. Let me start thanking parish and school staff. Thank you for your untiring efforts you contribute to Catholic education for the children of our community. The leadership of our principal is commendable.
The vision and the mission of the pastoral council are to foster a faith filled, loving and joyful community. Thank you for your dedication and leadership. Both the pastoral and finance council members meet every month. The services of the members of our finance council are very much appreciated especially during the time of economic crisis. Thank you for your advice and planning on our financial management. There are two vacancies in the council. One is already filled. The other is still open. Welcome Kathy Castallano to serve in our council.
If the parish or the school needs anything, tell the KCs and they will gladly do it. Your support to our community is great. I am grateful to all the members of Knights of Columbus for your dedicated efforts.
The people who work behind the scene are not often visible. St. Therese women’s association takes care of the inside of the church and provides all liturgical needs. Thank you for your maternal touch you give our community.
The downturn of our offertory made it hard to keep to the budget. Some of staff members made some sacrifices. The biggest saving came from taking liturgy on me. It added three days work. But the members of our liturgy committee made it workable. Thank you all the members of the liturgy committee. Your dedication and willing sacrifice benefits our parish both materially and spiritually.
Liturgy is supported by several ministries related to the Holy Eucharistic celebration. I thank all the Eucharistic ministers, ushers and greeters, lectors and altar server leader, altar servers (both adults and children) and the parents of young altar servers. Your participation and leadership make our worship more meaningful and sacred.
Music and singing add more beauty and greater worship of God. I write this with a sense of gratitude to all of you for offering your time and talent to Our Lord and help us to make our prayer pleasing to God. It says to sing is to pray twice. Thank you our director and choir members for powerfully joining us in our worship.
Handing over our sacred faith to our future generations is one of the missions of the church. I thank the director and all those involved in Religious Education ministry. We all appreciate your services you offer in this ministry.
Ministry to the sick and homebound is an important pastoral service from and to our community. Let me thank you the lead and all involved in this sacred ministry.
The SVdP members are always active in serving the growing needy of our parish family. I thank all of you members for your organized way of serving our needy brothers and sisters. I thank all those involved in the distribution of these items.
The changes we made inside the church and the sanctuary is the work of our Art and Environment committee. Many came to me and expressed their appreciation of the new crucifix. All that gratitude goes to the members of our A&E group and to our donors. I am so grateful for your dedicated work.
Monday is my day off. A group of our responsible parishioners comes to the office to count, to prepare the counting papers and sometimes to help banking. I do not see them on Mondays, but I know you do a very dedicated faithful work. I am very thankful to you.
The social events of our parish cannot be ignored. If you want to see men cooking and women helping come and join our annual spaghetti dinner and parish picnic. I offer my heartfelt thanks to all involved in making these events happy and joyful realities.
Our parish is blessed with so many volunteers who help us in many different ways. Thank you for your prompt and dedicated work you willingly offer. You help us to save and make our community a sharing and lively place.
I hope you will not get offended if I mention one name in this note. He does not belong to any of the groups but offers very dedicated service. I thank you Frank Guernsey.
Last but not least, I thank you each and every parishioner of St. Therese for giving your prayers, time, talent and treasure. Your participation makes this a vibrant and living community of faith. I thank the Lord for what you are and for your presence and contributions you make to our community.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING DAY!
Thank you and May God bless you,
Fr. Roger Marcus Fernando
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