Sept 8, 2024

​My dear parish family,
 
In this week's bulletin, you will find our annual Parish Financial Report. As you read it, think of it as an X-ray showing the structure of support that enables our church and its ministries to stand and move in service to God. I am grateful for every penny that you entrust to us, and I am grateful for our Business Administrator, Beverly Burgess, our Finance Council, our cash counters, and the other office volunteers who express their commitment to Jesus Christ and his Church through their tireless, conscientious efforts to ensure the sufficiency and integrity of our finances.
 
Our gospel reading this weekend tells of Jesus healing a man who suffered from deafness and a related speech impediment. Jesus touched this man’s ears and tongue. Then, he said “Be opened” and, just that quickly, the man was able to hear and speak plainly.
 
I see a connection between this sudden, startling display of God’s mercy and the repeated gesture of grace each of you performed over the last year as you placed envelopes in our offering baskets or donated online: Each act enabled someone to hear; each enabled someone to speak; each resulted in Jesus Christ being glorified as people witnessed God’s work and said “He has done all things well.” (Mark 7:37) Your generosity supported outreach, Christian growth, and the nearly 500 Masses and other liturgies we offer each year. When you give, you serve; and when you serve, souls live.
 
This is why we exist as a parish, and I remain humbled and thankful to be in service with you. 
 
— Fr. Allan