MARCH 19, 2006

The main Pastor's Corner is in the insert this week dealing with the Parish Share Program. However, many things continue to go on in our parish, so this will bring you up to date on some projects:

1. I was pleasantly surprised at how enthusiastically everyone has supported the change in Mass schedule. With the loss of one Church and one Mass, and a radical time difference in all the Masses, I had predicted that our attendance might drop as low as 800 for the weekend. Fr. Larry, who is much more optimistic, guessed at around 900 (remember, we had been at about the 1,000 level when I came in December). Want to guess the total? Answer at the end of the column.

2. I also was quite pleased at the reception of the new concept of Sunday School with the 9:30 Mass at the Chapel. The kids did a great job in all the ministries, and even though we need to work out traffic flow and timing a bit better, things seemed to function well and joyfully. I had challenged the parish to bring the attendance at the Mass to an average of 300 (remember, we had been at less than 220 when I came in December). Want to guess the total? Answer at the end of the column.

3. Visible work is finally being done on the handicapped accessible door and other parts of our work at the Church. I had said we would try to have everything up and running for Easter, and it would be nice to raise our $25,000 to be matched by the 2 for 1 anonymous donors' contributions for the $75,000 total for those immediate projects by the time they were completed. Want to guess what we have so far? Answer at the end of the column.

4. I have also been well edified by the attendance and participation at Stations of the Cross, Tuesday night Mass, and the ecumenical services. This truly is a pious parish. I hope at least some of you are praying for me at these activities.

Many other things are on-going and being planned as we approach our seasonal Spring and spiritual Spring (Easter). To echo St. Peter from last Sunday's gospel. "Lord, it is good for us to be here."
Stay tuned.

P. S. To the several children who asked on Sunday: Yes, it was me on my Blue Knights motorcycle in the St. Patrick's Day Parade. Thanks for recognizing and waving to me.

Answers: (1) 1173. (2) 398. (3) $15,425. Now, if anyone hits on any of these numbers in the PA Lottery, we expect the traditional biblical tithe of 10% since you got the inspiration here.