Pastor's Newsnotes: 11/28/2010
Advent is always a new beginning and this Advent 2010 may be one which we will remember as a benchmark in our pilgrimage with the Lord as a Catholic parish. Why? Because we hope, this year and next, to make some major strides in completing Saint Rita's 2007 Pastoral Plan. We have begun new ministries at St. Rita for youth, seniors, and for those who have experienced the loss of a loved one. We have opened our doors in many ways to good causes (e.g., blood drives), and to the city (use of our facilities by civil servants). At the same time, both our parish school and our program of religious education are expanding. But with growth comes new challenges to support and facilitate the vitality that springs from an increase in parish life and ministry.
And so the new watchword for St. Rita this Advent and for the year to come will be STEWARDSHIP. This word goes to the very heart of what it means to be a Christian Community. Suffice it to say that we will be "unpacking" the gift of stewardship—and it is a gift!—in many different ways over the months to come.
2nd ANNUAL LEADERSHIP CONVOCATION—Leaders, chairs, and representatives of all of our parish institutions, organizations, and groups will soon be receiving an invitation from me to attend our 2nd AnnualLeadership Convocation on Sunday, December 5th, from 1:30–3:00 pm, in Msgr. O'Malley Hall. I am very much looking forward to gathering with you once again as pastor and leader of our beloved St. Rita Parish!