I want to begin today by thanking the members of our parish who came out to participate in the meeting held Monday evening regarding our religious education programming. The efforts at and the energized desire for clarity concerning the facts and issues involved were both challenging and encouraging.

      There are challenges and opportunities ahead of us. The commitments to contribute time and energy to serving our daughters and sons are coming in, as we requested during this meeting. We also have begun to receive input and offers to volunteer in the area of parish financial health and stability. I am grateful for the expression of willingness to utilize the electronic giving system to that end, and I encourage you to weigh this option for parish stewardship and its value for your family. Sign-up information is being sent to all of our families with youngsters in parish programs.
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      Looking ahead, I want to let you know that Fr. Peter Gojuk, OMV (Oblates of the Virgin Mary) will be here to celebrate and speak at the Masses next weekend, August 3-4. As part of our parish’s cooperation with the diocesan office of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, we welcome Fr. Gojuk. This Annual Mission Cooperative encourages the parishes of our diocese to share in that mission of the Catholic Church as carried out by the various missionary orders whose lives are committed to this ministry.

     According to diocesan directives, contributions will be received by the parish, including checks made out to the parish for this purpose. St. Peter’s will send a parish check to the diocesan office in turn.
                                                                                         Fr. Tom