Pastor's Column 9-3-2023
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September 3, 2023Dear Parishioners,
We bid farewell this weekend to Fr. Patrick Ryan. He goes back later in September to Rome to continue his studies for a licentiate degree in theology. He will return completely to the diocese next summer and be assigned to a parish somewhere in Rhode Island. We give thanks to God and to the bishop for sending him to our parish this summer. From my own experiences and from the comments I have heard from others, he has been well received by our parish. He has certainly proven that he is a prayerful and hardworking priest. When he arrived in July as a newly ordained priest he was thrown right into the thick of things. Masses, funerals, baptisms, anointings, hospital calls, spiritual direction, and all manner of priestly duties fell into his lap. While I managed administrative matters, because I was away he would be the one to ensure that everything ran smoothly here at the parish. I will miss him here at St. Teresa and I ask that you join me in praying for him and for continued blessings from our Lord to him.
Meanwhile, lots of happenings here at the parish. Regarding the ongoing construction parishioners have been wondering about costs and funding for the current project. Fortunately, we had an extraordinarily generous donation to help offset the costs of the current project. I hope in the next few weeks to publish the parishes annual financial report and in that report will be a breakdown of this project. Inside the church, the area under the pews was waxed. I want to thank Mr. Carlos Cruz and his company Cruz Cleaning Services for the excellent work that he did. The halls in the church will be the next project in the coming weeks.
This Tuesday our church hall will host our local city elections. If this is your polling location, you are welcome to come throughout the day to cast your vote. It is our parish’s way of contributing to the common good of our community by providing a place for citizens to exercise their voting rights. It is also extremely convenient for me to simply walk across the law and cast my vote! As Catholics we form our knowledge, convictions and choices based on the teachings of Christ. He is the source of all truth and happiness. With such a blessing more is expected of us. So, when we vote, we share the gift of our faith in our vote for the legislation or candidate who will best lead all people to truth and happiness.
This Monday is labor day and so the office is closed. Daily Mass will be at its usual time of 7:15am.
In Christ,
Fr. Barrow
