Fr. Chuck's Column, November 12, 2017

We look forward this week to celebrating THANKSGIVING. Hopefully, you have much for which to be thankful. Certainly, as a parish and school community we have much to be thankful for.  

I am so thankful that we have so many dedicated and talented parishioners and school parents. I go to lots of committee meetings here, and I am constantly amazed at the high level of talent, and even more of dedication and enthusiasm, that our parish and school community enjoys. For example, working with the Development Committee on the possible mixed-use development has impressed me with both the level of talent in this community, and even more the willingness to work hard for the good of our parish and school. It is inspiring. And the same is true for the School Advisory Board, the Parish Pastoral Council, the parish and school Finance Councils, the Investment Committee, the Property Committee, and many, many more. We all owe them a debt of gratitude.

I am also grateful for the progress on our major renovation of the exterior of our rectory and church, with the additions of new bathrooms and meeting space. It is coming along right on schedule, and now we can begin to see some of the results. The church looks great! I am sure it has not looked this good in decades. When the crosses and the new light sconces are added, it will be beautiful. No longer will it look like an abandoned building. The only problem with beautifying our church and rectory along Guadalupe Street is that now Newman Hall, in contrast, looks even worse. Maybe we will be able to have it painted.

Also, I am very grateful for the great success we have had in our capital campaign, “Faithful to Our Mission.” We raised over $5 Million, and in our second phase we added a few more families participating, and succeeded in getting covered much of the additional items we want to add to the project. THANK YOU!

I am grateful for all those who serve us in our worship, as lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, greeters, and ushers, and for all the talented people who invest their time and effort in making beautiful and uplifting music for our worship. With the loss of Dr. Hoffman I have been especially grateful to those who have stepped forward into the breach to help us continue to make a “joyful noise unto the Lord!”

And I could go on about our parish staff, my fellow Paulists here, the support we have from the Diocese, and even that we FINALLY are enjoying cool weather, but you get the idea. We as a parish have a great deal for which to be thankful. So as we celebrate Thanksgiving, please remember to give thanks not only for all the blessings in your own life, but also for the blessings in our life as a parish/school community.