Dear Parishioners,

Our 2012 Catholic Services Appeal is underway, with 58 gifts and pledges received totaling $18,140 as of this past Tuesday. Thank you so very much for your early response! Additional contribution/pledge envelopes may be found on a table in the gathering space. Pledges may be spread over a 10-month period. The Appeal enables us all to participate in the mission of our Diocese to provide for many very needed ministries and services. Please prayerfully discern how you may take part in the manner our Blessed Lord has been generous to you!

Our Lector Chairperson, Ginny Edwards, is planning a morning Scriptural reflection and lector skills renewal for all of our present lectors and those interested in this parish ministry. It will be held Saturday, February 25th, in our church from 9:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m., with Bishop Straling as facilitator. We ask that all of our lectors set aside this time to participate.

We encourage all of our high school teens to take part in the Youth Rally 2012, a youth ministry retreat featuring John Angotti Friday, March 2nd, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. for a dance, and Saturday, the 3rd, from 9:00 a.m. until 4:15 p.m. at Bishop Manogue High School. The cost of $25 includes a rally tee shirt, with registration received in the Pastoral Center of our Diocese by 4:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 15th. The absolute last day to register for the Rally will be Wednesday, February 29th, with a cost of $45 per person. This will be an opportunity for some of our Confirmation I and II teens to compensate for missed required meetings.

The second semester of the third year of the "Why Catholic?" series will begin for many groups the week of February 19th, with Lent beginning Ash Wednesday, the 22nd. We will have speakers at Masses this weekend promoting the program which will be six weeks in duration. There will be tables in the gathering space for persons who wish to begin participating or have a change in their group assignment. So many of our parishioners have really enjoyed the "Why Catholic?" program, its being a great blessing for their faith as well as in meeting other friendly parishioners. Topics this semester will include morality, marital fidelity, and discipleship today. In May there will be a training opportunity for new and present facilitators for the 2012 fall semester which will have Prayer as the topic.

We thank you for your response to our Mortgage Reduction Effort. Our original loan from Knights of Columbus was three million dollars with an interest rate of 5.84% for 20 years, originated in September, 2005. Since then we have built and furnished our new Faith Formation Building, which is paid for. The remaining principal on the K of C mortgage is now down to approximately $2,340,750, with a monthly payment of $21,217. By paying additionally each month on the principle, we are reducing the length of the mortgage but not the monthly payment. Refinancing to reduce the interest rate is not possible.

May I remind all ushers, Eucharistic ministers, lectors, altar server trainers, religious education teachers and aides of your required certification in the "Protecting God’s Children" effort, with a session here Saturday, February 11th, at 9:00 a.m. in our Faith Formation Building. You must pre-register to participate: 326-9445.

There will be a Fundraising Committee meeting Monday at 7:00 p.m. in the parlor. All organizations and groups utilizing our parish facilities are expected to have a responsible representative or alternate present. The Baptism Class for expectant parents and parents of infants will be Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. in the hall. Monday, February 13th, we will have a Finance Committee at 6:00 p.m. in the parlor and a Building and Landscaping Maintenance Committee meeting at 7:00 p.m., also in the parlor.

Thanks to all of you who so kindly remembered me on my birthday. You certainly won’t let me forget!