WITH GRATITUDE FOR THOSE WHO SACRIFICED THEIR LIVES FOR OUR FREEDOM

On Monday we celebrated Memorial Day, a day where we remember the men and women who died in defense of our freedoms.  We remember those who died in the War of American Revolution, the War of 1812, the American Civil War, the Spanish-American War, the War to end all Wars, the Second World War, the Korean Conflict, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, the Second Gulf War, the Action in Afghanistan and other conflicts and battles waged in defense of our nation.  We remember the sacrifice they made, and we honor their families who were left behind (our Gold Star families).  We pray their souls may be at rest and their families may have peace.

THE MOST HOLY TRINITY

On Sunday we celebrated our God—Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  We thank God for the ability to be in relationship with Him who is Love itself.  We celebrate the God who desires to restore us into the proper relationship with Him.

THE PASTOR

This past Sunday we welcomed Bishop Joensen to our parish for the Installation of the Pastor.  This is a ceremony that signifies our communion with the Bishop as the shepherd of the Diocese of Des Moines and his desire to keep us together with the Church.  After renewing my priestly promises, he asked me to lead our community in the profession of faith and then make an oath of fidelity for the office of Pastor.  

At the conclusion of the Mass, I shared with the community our vision and the plan for the coming year.  The Pastoral Council will be spending time with the vision, and in the coming year we will be discussing the goals for the coming years to help us attain our vision.  (See last week’s post for the vision and goals for the coming year.) We have a dynamic community that is being filled by the Holy Spirit.  I know He will show us clearly how to move forward.

THANK YOU

As I write this, Sherri Hunt is in her last week with us.  Her final day will be this Friday, May 31.  She was sharing with us that she is already excited to be able to join her children and grandchildren at their parish this weekend as the grandchildren take part in the Eucharistic procession.  Sherri has built up a robust and thriving liturgical ministry program at Saint Pius X.  We are so grateful for everything she and her husband Dave have done to make this happen.  We wish her the blessings of God as she moves forward on her journey.