As we are celebrating the Fourth of July this weekend, it is a time to stop and take a look at our nation. We are a nation which has always been plagued with problems. And yet, we are a nation in which we can live in freedom. We can speak our minds, practice our faith, and choose our leaders without fear. We can move from one place to another and determine our own path in life. Compared with much of the world, ours is a nation of peace, prosperity and opportunity. We need to give thanks to the Lord for all of our blessings and to ask that He will watch over our nation. Lord, in your wisdom, guide us in ways of peace, compassion and mercy and justice.
The Annual Bishop’s Appeal video will be presented as usual in September. We will distribute pledge cards then. Everyone will have a chance to make a one-time donation or to make monthly donations. Since the diocese runs the appeal on a fiscal year, monthly payments would only run from September through June. Some parishioners, however, like to make their monthly donations spread over ten or even twelve months. If you would like this kind of a plan, you can make your pledge now and begin the payments before September. Go to diocesefwsb.org/aba and you can make the pledge and set up your payment schedule.
Our parish Vocation Cross is a wooden crucifix which families take for a week, offering a vocation prayer at home each day. If you would like to help with this important prayer, sign up in the book in the Gathering Space. You will come to the old sacristy after a weekend Mass to pick up the cross and the prayer that goes with it, and then bring it back the following weekend.
The new Borromeo Center is coming closer to reality. We have contractors coming this week to look at drawings and make bids. If all is smooth and if we get all of the diocesan approvals we need, construction could begin in late summer.
