Change the World
Several members of our Finance Council commented at its January 25 meeting that “We’re doing well.” For example, Sunday (= weekend) giving is very close to what we budgeted. Thank you! Regular giving is the cornerstone of how we meet our operational needs.
As for capital needs, we continue to make progress on maintaining our buildings. Among other things in 2023, we replaced three roofs; improved lighting, wiring and heating; and installed security cameras. It’s a big campus, however, and there are still big things to be done. (Think parking lot.)
That’s where contributions to our Capital Needs fund come in. Whether you use the monthly Capital Needs envelope, an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), or other method, thank you for helping. We take care of our facilities so that we can take care of people.
Also on January 25, over 20 parishioners gathered to pray, think and talk about St. Matt’s future. It was the next step in a Future Planning process to build on our many strengths. Many thanks to the Parish Council for their leadership in this effort. Council members and others are forming a Task Force to imagine where we might be in three years. Look for regular reports in the bulletin as the Task Force meets over the next few months. Our goal is to wrap up our current planning process by June.
Speaking of our strengths: one of the attendees said that, “I always feel like I can change the world when I leave here.”
That’s a powerful testament to St. Matt’s. It also perfectly sums up a major purpose of our worship together.
At the end of each Mass, the priest sends us forth to love and serve the Lord. Before the Second Vatican Council in the early 1960s, the words of dismissal were in Latin: “Ite, missa est.” That middle word, missa, morphed into “Mass” many years ago. Thus, the very name of our worship together—the Mass—indicates what we’re called to do.
As Fr. Thomas Kommers said in a recent homily, Jesus backed up his words with his deeds. And Jesus told us to go and do the same. Let’s change the world.
Have a great week!
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