15th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dear Parishioner,

Many of you have met Fr. Matthew Cole by this time. Fr. Matthew will be taking his turn at presiding at Mass, hearing confessions and helping with other sacramental ministry. It is wonderful to have another ordained minister for a couple of months.

One of the tasks that I would like Fr. Matthew to engage in is visiting the sick. The last couple summers I have concentrated on going out to homes and convalescent centers. I try to keep up as best as I can during the rest of the year, but with other meetings and commitments it is hard to do justice to this important aspect of parish ministry.

I have asked Fr. Matthew to visit the people on our homebound list and the parishioners who are in nursing homes. Father does not have a driver’s license so this will make things a little harder. Marcia Zerull, one of our coordinators of Pastoral Care, has agreed to schedule drivers and times so Father can visit as many of the infirmed as possible.

I would ask those who are contacted for visits to welcome Father Matthew. He will be offering the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick and an opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. If you are visiting a homebound parishioner please help, if asked, to introduce Father to them to reassure them. We also would appreciate the help of drivers for Father.

I would thank everyone in advance for their cooperation. This will be a great grace to many. It will also ease my conscience. We probably have about 150 people on our sick list and a dedicated group of laity who do communion ministry frequently, but I feel bad that I usually only get to see those who are desperately ill and others must wait until I have free time.

Blessings,

Fr. Mark

P.S. I would like to thank Connie Morris and the Social Committee who planned the parish picnic last Sunday. We had about 100 people stop by and there was a good mixture of old and new parishioners. Community building is always important, especially, for a parish as large and diverse as ours.

P.P.S. I would also like to thank Ivy Padula and those who facilitated our Vacations Bible School. Again, this ministry takes a lot of work.