Dear Parishioners,

With Lent upon us, we each choose our own ways to focus more on prayer, fasting and almsgiving.  Before sharing an update on our building projects, I suggest these ways that we may direct some of our Lenten efforts toward the changes happening in our facilities.

Prayer:  At least once weekly, include those who are working on our projects in your prayers.  As with any good work, Satan does not want to see it brought to completion.  I am certain there are things weighing on the minds and hearts of the construction workers that seem especially heavy since they are creating this space for God and His people.  Pray that the workers be protected from injury, and that they may be inspired to follow God more closely as a result of their good work.

Fasting:  When you purposefully give up something as your Lenten fast, think of these words from John 2:19-21:  “Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.’  The Jews said, ‘This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and you will raise it up in three days?’  But he was speaking about the temple of his body.”  Ponder how easy it is for us to focus on the little things directly in front of us, like the item (chocolate, for example) that we are giving up during Lent, when Jesus wants us to stand back and see the full picture.  Jesus desires for us to understand that our fasting unites us with the sufferings He endured. 

Almsgiving:  Our parish offers a wonderful way to give alms by donating to our Food Pantry.  Consider a donation of money or food that can be used to assist the poor and hungry in our community.

Progress on our Food Pantry

The siding is finished and the ceiling tiles will all be installed by the time you read this.  Flooring is in place, the garage door is in, and hardware is being added to the interior doors.  The front entrance is being built, and we are adding a propane tank to the site that we can use until a gas line can be installed.  Additional fencing is being removed so that there will be more parking for Easter Mass.

Progress on the Parish Center Addition

In the new parish office area on the second floor of the addition, the wood frames, doors and trim are being installed.  The conference room’s ceiling grid and cabinets are in place.  The frame and door for the family restroom will be installed once the flooring is completed.  Work will not begin in the gathering space until after Easter and until the Parish Center Addition is about 95 percent complete.  

Downstairs, the painting is complete and the ceiling grid partially installed, leaving areas so that ductwork may be finished. 

In closing, I encourage you to take advantage of the special things the parish offers during Lent:  Stations of the Cross on Fridays, our Lenten Retreat evenings on February 28 and March 14, the Living Stations of the Cross performances on March 25 and March 29, and all of the beautiful liturgies during Holy Week.

May you grow in your relationship with Our Lord this Lenten season, and may you arrive at the great celebration of Easter with a heart filled with love and joy!

Sincerely in Christ,

Fr. Adam Maus
Pastor

Parish Office is now open during the noon hour

We have expanded our parish office hours to 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and are now open during the noon hour.  The parish office will remain closed until 9:00 a.m., and will close at 4:00 p.m., even if staff are still working, to allow them some quiet time to complete daily tasks.
 

Advent Retreat videos on our YouTube channel