October 12, 2003

The joy of St. Patrick sure did fill the house last Saturday night as our Family Life Committee threw one heck of a party that still has many parishioners talking and laughing. Cahal Dunne’s show was absolutely entertaining and had everybody laughing and singing and enjoying each other’s company! So why did we have an Irish night? Why not! There’s a wee bit o’ the Irish in all of us that wants to have some fun and WE sure did. We are already talking with Cahal about coming back next year -- there was such a request for him to come back. Thanks to all who came and for the hard work of our Family Life Committee for such a great evening of song, food, prizes and excellent company!

Name Change. Our second collection, which for the past four months has gone by the name of the collection for the painting of the church and repair of the school roof will be going back to its original name: the Loose Change Collection. Its intent was, and still is, to generate additional funds from what is roaming around in our pockets. The church painting project is completed and it will be several more months before anything can begin on the school building: the purpose shifts slightly. Over the past 4 1/2 months we have raised, through this collection, almost $10,000. IT’S AMAZING! Your continued generosity is greatly appreciated.

Beginning next week we will no longer be reporting the number of envelopes returned each week. After discussion with the Finance Council, we agreed that the figure that we report is misleading given the fact that many families use them once each month (and then not always the same week, i.e., the first weekend of the month) and some use them every couple of months. It, therefore, no longer serves as a sign of participation since it is so misleading and can cause us to misinterpret (inappropriate speculation) what the number represents.

Some of you may notice that the pay phone located by the restrooms has been removed. It’s presence is costing us over $80 a month (almost $1,000 a year) and it is not used. According to the phone company, the wide use and availability of cell phones has been the reason they have removed other pay phones also. We are checking into getting a cell phone with emergency access only. Until then my cell phone is available to the ushers should an emergency arise.

The furnishings in the daily mass chapel are back after being refinished. Several of the pieces such as the altar and the ambo that were originally done by Father Hannon have been repaired and restored to better match the finish of the other furnishings. We are grateful for the donation that made this possible.

Thanks to the hard work of William Marquard the sanctuary is now accessible to persons with disabilities, especially those in wheelchairs. A wheelchair ramp and special ambo were designed and made to accommodate persons with disabilities: they will be used very shortly. These items were made in memory of his son, William Joseph Marquard III, and open up the potential for ministry by persons with disabilities. Please exercise caution when moving about in the front of the church because the ramp does take up some of the aisle space. The ramp, designed with a lip on the side to prevent the wheelchair from slipping off, IS NOT a shortcut around slower moving parishioners - to use it in this manner is a sure fire way to getting oneself or another injured. It will take a bit of getting used to and presents us with the prime opportunity to practice and pray for patience.

As we enjoy the beauty of the fall colors that God has painted around us we remain...