Encouraging the Culture of Encounter with Jesus Christ, His Church, and All People

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

New Parishioner & Welcome Back Potluck
Thank you to all who are attending the Potluck this weekend.  Hopefully many are able to come.  It is a great opportunity to reconnect with fellow parishioners and also to meet new ones!  As we navigated through Covid we tried to stay connected with people as safely as possible.  Also, we adjusted our Sunday schedule adding the 9:30 Mass, which has been a great help to many people in the wider area.  A good number of these folks are registering with the parish and looking to be involved.  I hope today’s potluck is a success in acquainting new people and building up the bonds that make us St. Paul Parishioners!

Donut Sundays
Speaking of making connections and meeting new people, currently there are parishioner volunteers that organize a donut Sunday after the 9:30 Mass just about every week.  If there are others from the 8am or 11:30 Masses (even the 4:30 if you want) that would be willing to do something similar after their respective Masses (even if not every week), please call the rectory so we can coordinate with you. As we get past covid, it is a good idea for us to make sure we foster our parish social life as best we can.  

Getting Back to “Normal”
One of the questions amongst many priests when we get together - though I think everyone is asking it - is what are the numbers of people coming to Sunday Mass now that the Sunday obligation is reinstated.  I think it is still a bit early to tell especially since summer is a “down time” anyway due to people making trips or going on vacation.  I have not done official counts at each Mass, but anecdotally I am noticing the numbers at the 4:30 and 8am are slowly but steadily increasing.  The 9:30 Mass has increased significantly and has evened out its consistency for now.  The 11:30 Mass attendance is on the rise as well, but more slowly.  The official time to count is in October and those numbers are what we report to the diocese. In the meantime, we will continue to celebrate Mass and I ask everyone to do your best to reach out to friends, family, and neighbors.  Perhaps situations have changed and they need a ride to Mass.  I know of some who in this past year have become homebound and need people to visit them. 
Many people want to return to “normal.”  If by that one means a return to a more regular practice of the faith then I totally agree.  We need a steady connection with the parish to help us in the spiritual life.  However, if by “normal” we mean going back to something merely routine, then I suggest using this “return from covid” as a time to reinvigorate our purpose to fulfill our mission.  Covid should have been a wake-up call showing us how much we need our Lord and His Church.  How are we forming disciples and proclaiming the Gospel more faithfully?  I would love to see a “new normal” that doesn’t refer to covid, but to a new vigor in our desire to serve the Lord. 
I would love to hear your thoughts.  Look out in the near future for a parish survey that can help us focus our efforts. 

God bless!

Fr. Pfr