Consider this… It’s up to you!
First, it is horse pull weekend! I hope that you take advantage of a great chicken bbq along with a unique and fun community event at our East Arcade Worship Site. Special thanks to all who worked at pulling (get the pun?) this together! Many thanks to our volunteers and to those who contributed.
Second, this is my last weekend with you helping out. I’m sure that I will be around again occasionally to see how things are going, but it’s important for all of you to realize that it’s up to you! The parish has come alive since February with ministries restarting, committees beginning to form and meet again, as well as, many other signs of life becoming visible with kids at Mass, baptisms taking place, and much more. The one comment that I have heard since I arrived that continually broke my heart was, ‘once you’re gone this will all end.’ I have to be very clear with all of you — it doesn’t have to end!
Fr. Dan is a great pastor who wants vibrancy and vitality in his parishes. Fr. Dan has shared with me that he is all about empowering people to do things in the parish, his only requirement (along with most pastors) is that he knows what is happening. You’ve seen what is possible, and how people are responding. Now each of you need to contribute what you can to continue the vibrancy that you know is possible. Please, don’t let the good things that have started again end! The Renewal work with the pillars is continuing and part of the pillars job is to identify things that the family of parishes needs to grow in. Please be supportive of the family of parishes and give change a chance.
At this time the new Mass schedule will begin on June 3 — 4 [2023]. I know that Arcade is currently losing the 5pm Saturday Mass which will be moving to Sardinia at 5pm. Please give it a try or maybe consider coming to Sunday morning Masses in AWS or EAWS. We don’t want to lose anyone moving into the family model. Also please know that using your envelope guarantees that your donation goes to your parish, so no matter what you decide or where you may go to church, if you use your envelope, it can still support your parish of ‘The New St. Mary’s.’
Third, in collaboration with Fr. Dan, next week I will put in the bulletin a list of the projects that have been accomplished or are scheduled throughout the summer to be accomplished. We have made much progress and I thank all those who have helped to coordinate these efforts!
Lastly, thank you! It has been wonderful being home, celebrating the sacraments and journeying with all of you closer to Jesus. It has been a dream come true for me and I will certainly treasure this time. You’re my home parish, I know what you’re capable of and I expect our parish to be a leader and an example of how Renewal is possible. Don’t let me down!
Love you all… keep smiling 🙂 Fr. Bryan
Based on Fr. Bryan’s letter from the bulletin of May 21, 2023. Year indication added, and links added to some text.
