Pastor's Letter -- April 18, 2021

Despite the scary pictures I was shown by one of the owners of the masonry company, we are able to save our bell tower through a thorough restoration or replacement of the bricks and mortar. You can see from the parking lot or sidewalk that thankfully the tower has a cement interior. However, the bricks on the outside of it were often completely without braces, which had rusted and rotted to disintegration. Free-floating, the bricks could easily have fallen as the mortar slowly faded back over the years allowing condensation and thus ice to blow off the front face of the brick. When the face of the brick is gone, the brick is more sponge than anything, and thus disaster could loom around the corner. We are going to replace many of the bricks, and also the braces will be replaced, and all mortar will be tucked pointed around any bricks that are still in good health and can remain.

The bells, themselves in good health, need new mechanical systems, such as the braces and steel supports. Hopefully this summer that project can be completed. It’s going to be a joyous day when we can hear the bells ringing again and know that the tower is safe for decades to come.

I certainly hope, as you have heard in weeks past, that the sanctuary will be completed before Pentecost. Please keep that intention in your prayers!

The implementation team for the pastoral plan is moving steadily. We will continue to work to keep you informed and invite your participation in the various initiatives that we are doing to help our parish grow in love of our Lord and in sharing Him with each other and with the world. As we look ever more hopefully to the future of our parish as the pandemic subsides, we want to do all that we can to foster the fullness of the Christian life, including a robust community life, in this parish. Even this week some new ideas have jumped into my mind, which I see as a potential work of the Holy Spirit. I will keep you all informed as God continues to lead me, our parish staff, and all of us.

Our bishop still requires wearing masks or other face coverings for Mass and other indoor parish events. I am grateful for the continual compliance of parishioners. This is a small sacrifice for us to be able to do everything else (almost) as we would over a year ago. I’m so happy for the gift of singing at Mass as well as many other small blessings, such as holy water! Please continue to pray for those who are suffering from this illness, all those who are first responders, and those in healthcare. May the Lord grant eternal rest to all those who have succumbed to this disease, and consolation to their families. As we pray for the dead, we remember our obligation for how we live today, and we respond with much more gratitude! Thanks be to God, Jesus is risen, Alleluia!