What's next?

WHAT’S NEXT? In the coming weeks, we have a lot going on. First, this weekend you will find in your bulletin a stuffed insert that gives an overview of the possible patrons for our Family of Parishes. A reminder to pray about who the patron of our Family should be. Do not be afraid to ask the Holy Spirit for guidance. Please read, reflect, and pray over the patron insert this week.

Next weekend at all the Masses, we will have ballots at the ends of the pews. I am going to ask our priests to preach a little shorter to give you some time in the midst of Mass to pray and cast your vote for our Family of Parishes. Who can vote? Anyone who is a member of one of our four parishes (Sacred Heart, St. Michael, Ss. Peter & Paul, and Holy Angels) and has received the Sacrament of Confirmation will be able to cast their vote. Meaning that a husband, wife, and any of their children who are still at home and have received Confirmation will each be eligible to vote. We are working to ensure our homebound parishioners get a chance to cast their vote. If you will not be at Masses on January 14-15, you can come to one of our parish offices the following week to cast your vote. The four possible patrons are St. Joseph, Pillar of Families (pastor’s favorite), St. Philomena, Holy Family, and Mother Thrice Admirable. Again, look and prayerfully reflect on the included patron insert.

Then, the weekend of January 21-22, the Disciple Maker Index will go live, and you will be able to take the survey online; or if you absolutely cannot do it online, you can do a paper copy. Each parish will have a QR code. There will also be a link that is included on each parish’s Facebook page and in each parish’s Flocknote. The QR code will be included in the bulletin, on bulletin boards, and included on a small slip at the end of pews at each parish to allow parishioners to take the survey right after Masses. Please help us to gather important information for our Family of Parishes and help us to take care of our flocks’ spiritual needs. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, take the survey!!!

We have a number of groups gathering across the Family of Parishes to reflect on Fr. Mike Schmitz’s new podcast “The Catechism in a Year.” If you are interested in joining these groups, please contact the parish office to find out more. It is a blessing that so many want to know their Catholic Faith better. It is such a beautiful thing for me to see as pastor – interest in a program that I am not the creator of – and that makes me proud.

Thank you to everyone who has consistently noted and thanked the priests of our Family of Parishes for their reverence and desire to lead them to deeper Eucharistic Faith. We truly do not want Mass to be about us, but about Who the Mass is about, which is ultimately God and worshiping God the Father, through His Son Jesus Christ, in the Holy Spirit. When we make the Mass about worship, truly great things happen in our hearts. Thank you for your openness to receiving the grace that the Mass can pour into your life.

Peace in Christ,

Fr. Jarred Kohn