Moving Waters

Dear Parishioners,

We are celebrating a long stretch of Ordinary Time as we live through January and February. Lent starts very late this year. The winter days seem to last a little longer than normal. We are in the process of planning spiritual activities for Lent. As I write this, we anticipate the commemoration of the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. Time is passing. Somehow, I want to push the pause button before we plan a new liturgical season. But changes continue to occur.

We are excited to have some new members on our Parish Pastoral Council. There are five members who joined us. Usually, the Parish Council has approximately ten members. The new members are Scott Raes, Matt Bowman, Fran Ryan, Miguel Valejo, and Maria Escamilla. We had two council members complete their terms, two move out of town, and one who passed away. These additions are larger than normal, but new blood is always welcome.

Our new administrative assistant is Mardian Angelo. She is settling into her new job and seems enthusiastic and up to the task. We also anticipate hiring a new receptionist as Melissa Hoffman is going back to school.

I had a pastor write that the church exists in “moving waters.” By that expression I think he meant we are all on a journey. We never stay in one place forever. All Christians must expect church communities will ebb and flow. Our prayer for midwinter might be, “Lord, please show us the way through the cold and the darkness of the present into the warmth and light of spring. Help us to trust.”

Let us ask that Our Lady will pray for us,

Fr. Mark