Dear Friends in Christ,
As we celebrate Pentecost this weekend we also come to the end of the Easter Season. The past fifty days since Easter Sunday have been filled with many beautiful liturgical celebrations that I hope have brought you closer to the Lord. Although the Easter Season concludes, it is important for us to remember that we are an Easter people. Every day of the year as disciples we are to be witnesses and examples of the new life of Resurrection! I pray that you may have the grace to be inspired to be spiritual beacons of light in our culture that often concentrates on death and darkness. As an Easter people we join together in community to remember, celebrate and believe in the Good News and embrace Our Mission to know, love and serve God by loving and serving others!
Today we also are gathering for our Parish Summer Picnic. It is very appropriate that our community celebration is taking place on Pentecost Sunday so that we can honor the presence of the Holy Spirit in our parish family. Thank you to all who planned and are participating in this great community and fellowship event!
Now that the school year has concluded and summer has officially begun, I hope that summer is off to a peaceful and restful start. It is so important to enjoy days of being unscheduled so that we are able to receive all that the Almighty freely gives to us without being tired and exhausted. If you are traveling in the upcoming weeks, I hope that you have a safe trip. Don’t forget to visit www.masstimes.org to find out the nearest parish and Mass schedule at your destination… and thank you for bringing back bulletins from other places. I find it enriching to see what is happening at other parishes and hope to gain some best practices.
When you come before the Lord this week, please pray for me that I can be the Pastor that you and your loved ones need and deserve. Know that I will pray for you and your intentions. We may not see each other each day but may we meet each day in our prayers!
In Christ,
Very Rev. Stephen D. Parkes, V.F.
Pastor