Wow! It feels as if we have gone “from 0 to 60” in ten seconds flat! In addition to our liturgical and sacramental celebrations which span the year, in rapid succession there have been initial gatherings or planning meetings for “Alpha,” for parents of youngsters who will participate in our Religious Education programming, and for the generous folks who will create once again our Parish Bazaar! Put plainly, I am inspired by the dedication and great effort of so many wonderful members of St. Peter’s Parish!
      As I look ahead in the very short term, I will be away from Rockdale the week of September 24- 30. Most of those days will find me on retreat at Holy Family Monastery and Retreat Center in West Hartford, CT, a ministry of the Passionist Fathers who earlier in my ministry were present also in the Diocese of Worcester. I ask you to keep me in your prayers during those days as I will gather with other priests from around New England for my annual retreat.
     The weekday mornings of 9/24-27, there will be a Communion Service at 8:00 AM, and for the weekend of 9/29-30, Fr. Michael J. Goodavish will be with you as priest-celebrant and he will share with you the work of “Food for the Poor, Inc.” I know that he will enjoy the “Rockdale welcome” for which visitors to our parish always are grateful.
     Now, as I look ahead for the longer term, I hope to work closely with our Parish Council, Parish Finance Committee and Parish Staff in the months ahead as we plan the various ministries of our parish for this year. I hope that we also will have the opportunity to look ahead and set “big picture” plans that really require advance planning and implementation over a period of several years.
     I would like to conclude this week’s note with a special thanks to the Alpha Team and all the folks who were on hand this past Monday evening for the first session of this experience. Seeing nearly 50 people gathered in the Parish Center to enjoy a meal, hear about, and then discuss our Faith ; well, I feel like my retreat has already begun, and begun VERY well!
                                                                                  Fr. Tom