A Message from Fr. John: Exciting New For Our Parish Family!

Dear Parishioners,

I want to share some wonderful updates regarding both the temporal security and the pastoral growth of our parish and school community. God is truly blessing our efforts!

🛡️ Federal Homeland Security Grant Awarded

We have fantastic news regarding our parish and school infrastructure:

  • The Award: We received a $190,000 federal Homeland Security grant!
  • The Purpose: This funding will modernize our facilities and provide the best possible security protections.
  • Timeline: The project will take roughly one year (give or take a few months) to complete.
  • Future Plans: Because equipment costs have risen significantly, we plan to apply for another grant when we become eligible two years from now.
  • Gratitude: A huge thank you to our dedicated committee members and our grant writer who made this massive help possible.

🎒 Family Faith Formation & Youth Ministry Boom

Our shift to the Family Model for Faith Formation (K-6) and Youth Ministry (7-8) has yielded incredible, unexpected fruits:

  • The Context: Last year, we had 204 children enrolled in traditional Faith Formation.
  • The Surprise: Moving to the family model, we thought we would be blessed to get half that enrollment (101 children).
  • The Reality: We have far surpassed our expectations and are pushing close to 160 children registered!
  • Our Promise: We promise to make this a deeply beneficial ministry where parents, children, and facilitators walk together to become intentional disciples.

⛪ A New Vision: "Come and See"

We are actively working on a fresh vision and mission statement for our community.

  • Our Calling Card: We have chosen a beautiful, biblical phrase given by Jesus himself to sum up who we are: "Come and See."
  • The Invitation: It is a personal invitation from the Lord to encounter Him and share His love with others.

📖 School of Discipleship Updates

Our journey of spiritual formation continues very soon:

  • Next Steps: The Pastoral Council will gather in early September to lay the groundwork.
  • Launch: The School of Discipleship will resume in late September.
  • The Goal: To help all of us become missionary disciples, intentional disciples, and Apostles of Jesus who are called by name and sent on mission.

Please know that I will continue to keep you updated as further progress happens in our parish. Thank you for your continued prayers and support!

In Christ Jesus,

Father John