Parish Bulletin Article: "Stewardship Updates": 4-26-20

​Good day to our parishioners at St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Columban!  Once again, happy Easter as we continue to celebrate this season, as well as our beautiful weekend of Divine Mercy.  

This weekend I would like to offer my gratitude as we continue to provide our time, talent, and treasure as a family, and how essential our family is!  I mean, we may be focused on this coronavirus, but do you remember just a few months ago?  We had concluded bankruptcy of our Diocese of Duluth, and each of our parishes paid it off to support our Diocese.  Praise God and know of my thanksgiving.

Then comes COVID-19, and there we go again, though in a different challenge!  Within this situation, I continue for us to follow our mission as disciples and as stewards.  First, we must continue to use our time.  As many of us have more time in our homes, let’s continue to grow our time with prayer.  Offer prayers for those who are suffering from this virus, and other physical or brain challenges.  Take some time to make phone calls for those who are homebound, in a hospital or nursing home.  

How can you use your talents?  I am so proud of our employees at our parish and school, serving our parishioners, students, and our community.  While this is part of their jobs, they are showing their gifts to share with many people.  Again, what charisms has God given you during this time?

How can you support all of the above with your treasure?  Whether it is for a few coins, a regular donation, or offering other ways to support our family.

Finally, I am proud of each of you as our financial is A-Okay because of your generosity and prudence of our finance committee.  For instance, remember that we sold our last huge rectory?  We have a large chunk of that in a CD.  We are also working for two other opportunities to support our savings during this trying time.  The first is the Payroll Protection Program from our Federal Grants, which may be possibly free.  The second is now private, as I want to make sure that it comes together for another tremendous gift, and I will announce that as soon as I can.

Again, I am proud of you, brothers, and sisters, as this period is a marathon.  Keep pacing well with the Lord, with your time, talent, and treasure.  God is in control of what is going around the world, and Jesus Christ is our shepherd.
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God Bless and know of my prayers!