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Annual Parish Report (September 1, 2014 - August 31, 2015)

Dear Parish Family,

 

Soon we will be gathering with family and friends to celebrate Thanksgiving.  During this time of year, I am reminded of all for which we are thankful.  This is also the time of year when the Pastor presents the Annual Report to the parish. These annual summaries are always a joy and a blessing for me, because they provide an opportunity for us to look back and see the many events that have been blessings for our parish family, and be justly proud of our accomplishments during the past year. This can give us all a sense of deep joy at how God has provided for our family—and continues to do so!

 

I see the five “basics” of our parish life as:

 

WE CONNECT—we build community with one another and bond, through many and varied social activities, into a vibrant Catholic family

 

WE PRAY/WORSHIP—we participate in worship in many ways, through our sacraments, liturgies and prayer experiences

 

WE GROW/LEARN—we learn about our faith in so many ways, and at all ages, “growing in wisdom, age, and grace” here at St. Pius X parish

 

WE SERVE—we are a community of service, good stewards sharing with those who are broken in spirit, those who are in financial need, and those who are challenged and need help in any way

 

WE GIVE—we are a generous people, providing good stewardship through our weekly offertory giving and through special collections throughout the year

 

On the Feast of Christ the King, November 23rd, 2014 we as a parish began a year of celebration, spiritual renewal and reconnecting with each other as a parish family as together we prepare for our Diamond Anniversary!  Yes – in a few weeks we will be 60!  This past year our parish family enjoyed many events, activities, liturgical celebrations and opportunities to celebrate our past, rejoice in the present and prepare for our future. 

 

We Remember ~ We Celebrate ~ We Believe - This is the theme we chose for our anniversary year.  The theme is inclusive - WE - reaching to the past to embrace those who came before us, embracing the present, believing in our future and always celebrating the presence of our loving  and gracious God throughout our history.  The words surround the St. Pius X parish crest - forming a circle, but not complete - the circle of our family remains open to new and renewed life, new family members, new ideas, new beginnings.  Our final celebration will be on the Feast of Christ the King, November 22nd, 2015 as we come together for our 60th anniversary closing liturgy.  What far better book-ends to a blessed year than the Eucharist. 

Less than two weeks following our 60th anniversary, we along with Catholics throughout the world will begin a pilgrimage of sorts as we respond to Pope Francis’ invitation to the Year of Mercy which calls us to renew and deepen our understanding and actions of mercy.  On December 8th Pope Francis will open the door of St. Peter’s Basilica to officially welcome the Jubilee Year.  He has said that the door will become “a Door of Mercy through which anyone who enters will experience the love of God who consoles, pardons, and instils hope.”  The Jubilee Year’s theme is: “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”  Together as a parish family we will journey through the five areas of our parish life with the heart, the hands, the voice, the face of mercy.

On a personal level, I want to thank our Parish Financial Committee: Mrs. Mercedes Colwin (Chairperson), Mr. Anthony Corrente, Mr. Neil DeRosa, Mr. Brian Dossie, Mr. John Shamul, & Mrs. Kathleen Wright for their oversight of the parish finances.

Be assured of my prayers for you and I ask that you remember me in your prayers.   “Restore all things in Christ,” reminds our parish patron saint, St. Pius X.  My faith family, I think we have made remarkable strides in fulfilling the spirit of St. Pius X.

I hope that each of you has been involved in some way in all five areas of our parish life.  And may God bless you in the coming year!

God Bless You, Fr. Valentine