FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK : My long term vision for the pastoral region of St. Mary and St. Peter is that our parishes become a spiritual oasis region for our congregations as well as those thinking about coming into our region. In this region spiritual needs are nourished through the celebration of the Sacraments, the Mass, CHRP, and other spiritual offerings we have planned. Can you see a community in which parishioners join me and the deacons feeding each other with Jesus?
I recall a Birthday card that I received back in the 1980’s from a parishioner at the Church of the Nativity of our Lord in Pleasant Ridge in which the last line read: “Keep on feeding us Jesus”. And that, my friends, is what I mean by a spiritual oasis.
That being said, I want to encourage your involvement in some events that are just around the corner: the Men’s “Christ Renews his Parish Week-end Retreat” (CHRP) February 11 and 12. In addition, I have invited Fr. Tim Schehr to direct a Parish Mission at Saint Peter’s February 13 – 15, 7:00 – 8:30 pm. If you have never heard Fr. Tim give a presentation before, you are in for a treat! Fr. Tim is a perennial favorite with many of our parishioners both in and out of the parish. The theme of his parish mission is: “The Passion Narrative of Saint Mark”.
On Saturday, February 25 Fr. Mike Leshney will host another “retreat on a disc” series. This one will be based on Father Robert Barron’s series on the “Eucharist”. Fr. Bob writes: “The Eucharist is not a luxury, but a necessity, for without it, we would in a spiritual sense, starve to death.” This retreat day will run from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm including a continental style breakfast and a box lunch will be served. This day is open to folks from both parishes.
We yet, continue another opportunity for the women of our region with “CHRP” retreat # 3 scheduled for the week-end of March 3 and 4. How to register for the CHRP retreats is given elsewhere in this bulletin.
I have scheduled a parish mission for Saint Mary’s February 26 – 29. The Theme is a timely one for the Season of Lent:”Exploring the need to forgive and be forgiven”. This will involve three sessions devoted to: Accepting God’s forgiveness; Forgiving Others; and Forgiving God. Father Norm Langenbrunner and Jeanne Hunt will be the presenters.
As always the events at one parish are open to parishioners at the other parish.
I wish to conclude by expressing my gratitude to Fr. Bill Stockelman of Saint Bernadette and his faith community upon the occasion of extending an invitation to Saint Mary and Saint Peter parents to have their elementary school age children to attend their parish grade school at “in parish” tuition without having to register as a parishioner of that parish. They will host an open house on
Sunday, January 29, 12 PM – 2 PM.
Fr. Mike
VOCATION VIEW: Jonah is sent to call the Ninevites back into relationship with God. As we remember the anniversary of Roe vs Wade, we must speak as Jonah to be examples of this same call to repentance. (Jonah 3: 1-5)
[Fr. Mike Leshney’s email: michaelleshney@fuse.net cell: 515-7555]