From the Pastor’s Desk,

Over the past two and half months we have walked through a very strange time in history. We have
watched as our entire country was shut down. I did not know what all the outcome would be and even
now things are being effected in ways I did not think about. In the business world we are so interdependent
upon the restaurant next door, to the factory across the street. As our school went to online learning,
to our churches with no public Masses and the loss of all our summer programs. In my mind I keep asking,
did we over react? I do not think so. Our city area of 160,000 people has had very few deaths and no major
outbreak. I cannot say enough good things about the medical leadership here in our city. I want to
thank everyone who has contributed to the parish during these months so that we are able to pay our bills
on time.
As we look at the “Diocese” and our needs as a whole, we have now begun our Diocesan Development
Fund Drive. The funds which are collected enables our Diocese to offer our parishes and parishioners many
different areas of ministry that parishes would not be able to provide on their own.
The DDF provides for: 1) Family Life Ministries, helping those preparing for marriage, 2) Rite of Christian Initiation
of Adults, those coming into the Church, 3) Social Ministry, all different aspects of reaching out to
those who have no voice, or need a stronger voice in our society, 4)Campus Ministry, helping to staff priests
on 2 of our public college campuses, 5) Tribunal, those who are seeking annulments for their broken marriages,
6) Vocations/Seminarians, continuing to reach out to young men and women searching a religious
vocation, 7) Youth Ministry, which includes Camp Re-New-All, Catholic Scouting, 8) Office Of Worship,
providing for all the Diocesan Liturgies, 9) The Mirror, our Diocesan Newspaper keeping us informed with
all that is happening in our Diocese, 10) Catholic Schools, guided by our superintendent, 11) Finance Office,
overseeing the monies of the Diocese as well as guiding parishes.
I ask that everyone study the above paragraph to see how many different areas of ministry affect your life,
or the life of your family. There are more areas, but for the most part
these are the major areas of ministry that are supported by our gift to
the Diocesan Development Fund. Please be as generous as you have
in the past years, or make a first time gift this year if you have not given
in previous years.
To date 88 families have pledged $30,059.00 towards our $77,227.00
goal. Please complete and return your DDF pledge card by next Sunday
if possible. If you need a pledge card, please contact the parish
office and we can mail one to you.
~Rev. Lewis Hejna