There’s a lot going on and only so much space to fill, so let me just jump right to it.  First, some notes about the entire On Mission for the Church Alive! process.  As you are most likely aware, the On Mission Commission formally made their recommendations regarding future parish groupings to the bishop last month.  He will continue to consult with his primary advisory bodies – the diocesan pastoral and finance councils, as well as priest council – regarding those recommendations.  Even now, no decisions have been made – in fact, several of the groupings are still the subject of intense debate.

Concurrent with that process, the clergy personnel board has been interviewing all the priests on active assignment, basically asking them how they envision their ministry moving forward.  What role do they feel they can play; where would they like to exercise that ministry; and who can they best work with.  Mercifully (I’m on the board, hence I’ve been involved with this process), we finish the interviews this week.  Our next task is to start discussions about future assignments so that we can make good recommendations to the bishop.

While all that is happening, the parish services department of diocesan central administration is working to put together so-called “blueprints” of how to implement the new parish groupings and to ease the transition for everyone involved.

As announced to the priests last Monday, the Bishop plans to reveal the new parish groupings and clergy assignments on Thursday, April 26, 2018.  That begins the transition period, during which, among other things, a new Mass schedule will be developed for the new group.  The new parish groupings, new clergy assignments, and new Mass schedules, will all become effective on Monday, October 15, 2018.  Stay tuned for more information, and, as always, if you have questions about the process, please ask me.  Don’t listen to rumors.  If I don’t know the answer, I’ll do my best to get you one.

But that’s all still the far-off future.  We have more immediate concerns.  We’re having a party.

Our Silver Jubilee celebration is this weekend.  Friday night, join us for solemn evening prayer; Fr. Ken will be our presider and homilist.  Afterwards, join us for a pot luck dinner in the hall.  Saturday evening, join us for a festival of praise; Fr. Tom will be our presider.  And Sunday morning, join us for the 10:00 Mass, where Bishop Winter will be our celebrant and homilist.  After the Mass, all are invited to brunch in the church hall.  Please note there will be NO noon Mass next Sunday.

For more information or to register for any of these events (they’re all free, of course), please call the parish office or visit our website.

It’s going to be a very busy week, but it’s going to be a very good one.  Looking forward to celebrating with everyone!

Oremus pro invicem!