Letter from Fr. Kelly (June 24)
Friends,
We offer our deepest congratulations to the six men ordained to the priesthood at our Holy Cross Cathedral on Saturday. We especially promise our prayers for Fr. Eric Bennett and Fr. Eric Cadin, both of whom spent part of their seminary formation here at St. Mary’s. Fr. Cadin celebrates his First Mass here at the Life Teen Mass this Sunday and we look forward to arranging with Fr. Bennett to be here for a Sunday Mass soon.
Thank you to all who returned the Parish Planning Survey which will help us to make decisions about the right way forward to address the financial concerns here at St. Mary’s. I anticipate having a report from the fundraising company on what their interviews, meetings and survey tallies indicate for us by the end of June. I’ll keep you posted as soon as I am able to digest the recommendations.
Last week’s official opening and blessing of the Parish Library, called Mary’s Nook, was a wonderful time for us. Do you take advantage of the many such moments and occasions we have here at St. Mary’s? Being there makes a difference both in your life and in the life of the parish. I hope you can take advantage of the library’s resources, which is located on the second floor of the Parish Center. Borrowing books is easy…it’s on the honor system!
At least one major health care body has changed its position regarding its earlier support of the HHS mandate. The Catholic Health Association, an independent body which had unwisely and short-sightedly first supported the Obama administration’s Health and Human Services’ “accommodations” (which are an affront against religious liberty), have conspicuously retracted their support as they understand more clearly the implications of this unprecedented intrusion on religious freedom. No surprise, this has not been reported in the main stream media. Pray the prayer for Religious Liberty and participate in the Cardinal’s town forum on Monday evening, June 25.
Also, a final word of thanks to Megan (Guifoil) Milburn, who completes 10 years of service to Life Teen as she moves down South to join her new husband. Thank you and God bless you both.
In Christ,
Fr. Kelly