Church of the
Annunciation

On Friday I received a letter from Bishop Malone extending my term as pastor. I thank the Bishop for my renewal.  Today I give my seventh State of the Parish talk. I am please to point out abundant blessings.

·         Eucharist, Sacraments, Bible study,  prayer groups, adoration, summer mission

·         Special events in our sacred space (e.g. “Sermon on the Mount”)

·         Talks & presentations in Selbert Hall (e.g. the documentary movie “Recovery” and witness of Matthew Faulkner)

·         Hospitality (e.g. greeters at Mass and welcome breakfast)

·         Children (e.g. at Mass & in school, religious education and home-schooled, music with Mar)

·         Out-reach to the poor (e.g. Vive and FISH)

·         Pastoral care (visiting the sick and elderly)

·         Missioners (e.g. to East Buffalo, Nicaragua & Haiti)

·         Lay chaplains in hospitals and prisons

·         Counseling (e.g. bereavement)

·         Consultation and collaboration (e.g. staff, trustees, pastoral council, finance committee, building and grounds, education advisory council, religious education advisory council, liturgy committee, home school guild)

·         Cooperation among societies (e.g. Holy Name, Sodality, boy scouts, school parents & students)

·         Social events (e.g. summer picnic (net profit “60,000+) and pork chop dinner

·         Beautiful grounds (e.g. garden club)

But stop! I am beginning to sound like the Pharisee in the parable of Jesus who enters the temple to pray and goes on to tell God how good, devoted and faithful he is while he looks askance at the poor tax collector. This public sinner has nothing to commend himself to God but his honesty, his confession, his sorrow and appeal for mercy: “O God be merciful to me a sinner.” The tax collector, not the self righteous Pharisee, leaves the temple in right relationship with God. Humbly, like all faith communities, we must acknowledge our pettiness, the gossip, failure to keep the vision and hold to the mission entrusted to us in Christ. What have we done to lessen violence; to create a culture of life? What have we done to welcome strangers in our midst like Jesus did?

As I begin my second term I am inviting the Pastoral Council to examine parish life and to plan for the next six years. How does the physical complex of buildings and grounds (e.g. sheds behind the cemetery, the picnic pavilion, Langley Hall, our small kitchen in Selbert Hall) enhance or hinder our commitment to continue the ministry of Jesus Christ.

Next week I will return to the pulpit with Larry Zielinski to give the yearly fiscal report. The following weekend Deacon Jim will speak on stewardship. Together we can become more conscious of multiple blessings and express our gratitude to God. Like St. Paul, in the second reading to Timothy, we can see our lives as a libation, as an offering to God and to neighbor. As your pastor I ask that you prayerfully consider your offertory contribution and, if possible, to make a modest increase. Jesus often speaks to his disciples of being good servants and stewards. The key to joy is living with gratitude and generosity.