Encouraging the Culture of Encounter with Jesus Christ, His Church, and All People
 
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
 
Congratulations to Terry!
Our Parish Coordinator of Adult Ministries, Terry Nesline, is retiring.   It has been a blessing to collaborate with her over the past five years of my being pastor.  She was present and ministering at the parish for many years before that as well.  Over that time she has touched the lives of many whether it was her friendly voice answering the phone at the rectory or her kindness in bringing Holy Communion to the homebound.  From the Giving Tree to the Nutroll Sale, from lectoring to distributing Holy Communion at Mass, from scheduling of minsters to helping me with special projects at the rectory.  Your helpful insights have assisted me in discerning certain decisions. Thank you  for your patience with me when I would miss something and making sure I followed up on tasks.  Thank for all the many other acts of faith, hope, and charity I do not even know about. 
Her dedication and compassion for people  has been a big part of people’s Encounter with the Lord and His Church here at St. Paul’s.  I am glad to say that the Holy Spirit has worked through her while on staff.  Thankfully that working of the Holy Spirit will continue as Terry will still offer her gifts in certain parish ministries.  On behalf of the parish, thank you, Terry, for your dedicated service to God and the parishioners of St. Paul. 
There is a reception being held in her honor in the PAC following the 11:00 Mass, Sunday Oct. 6.  All are invited.
 
Vocations Prayers and Cross after Masses
As part of our spiritual renewal during the Centenary we are praying particular prayers directly following the end of Mass.  These prayers are based on the occasion or season.  We began fittingly with the St. Paul Prayer.  Now for the month of October we will focus on the priestly vocation.  Our prayer will be the Serran Prayer for Vocations.  I will write more about who the Serrans are in the coming weeks.  For our Diocese, October is a time to thank God for the gift of priesthood and to foster vocations to the priesthood and religious life.  It is usually in October that those studying for the priesthood in our Diocese venture from the seminary and give talks at certain parishes.  This year we unfortunately do not have a speaker, but that does not mean we cannot pray.  Furthermore, in an effort to foster more prayer and awareness of growing vocations from our parish, we are instituting a Vocational Prayer Cross.  The idea is that every week a different individual or family will receive the Cross following Mass.  Their mission is to take it home and place it reverently so as to pray before it every day that week for the intention of priestly and religious vocations for the Church.  They will return it on Friday so the next person can take it.  If you are interested please call the rectory to get on the schedule. 
 
Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. Pfr