Good Stuff and Don’t Follow My Lead

We are coming off a busy weekend with important parish activities last weekend. On Saturday, October 30th, we had the Alpha Retreat. Over years, this day-long retreat has proved powerful in the lives of individuals. Some Alpha participants aren’t able to make it, but generally those that come are deeply moved by Jesus Christ and His Holy Spirit. These events and experiences don’t happen by accident, though. We have a number of volunteers that help lead the retreat, prepare the food, and pray for God’s intervention.

In a special way, Lori Wilson and Angie Woodruff are extremely dedicated to the Alpha Retreat and the entire Alpha experience. Their dedication, generosity, prayerfulness, and hospitality help many people to encounter God during Alpha.

Lori and Angie’s weekend didn’t end with Alpha. Last weekend we also had the Mass of Remembrance at St. Joseph and the Evening Prayer for the Faithful Departed at Immaculate Conception. These two liturgies are great ways to begin the month of November, during which we are especially dedicated to the faithful departed. Thanks to Lori and Angie for making these liturgies beautiful and prayerful.

On a whole different note, I made a mistake a few months back that was both comical and instructive. A parishioner asked me how long I thought I’d be the pastor at the Petersburg Parishes. I told them that I’d sort of like to hide out here for the rest of my life, although you may get sick of me when I get old and crusty. I told them that we’ll probably have a new Archbishop in a couple years and maybe he’ll think that we’re in the Diocese of Toledo. Our parishes could exist in no man’s land.

It was a complete joke and I didn’t mean anything by it. There is no possibility that the Archdiocese would simply forget this place existed. However, about a month later, someone told me that there was a rumor going around that in the Beacons of Light process, St. Joseph would be transferred to the Diocese of Toledo, which is not true at all. The rumor mill got moving on that one. It was rather laughable.

The moral of the story is “be careful of the rumor mill.” There are plenty of rumors floating around with the Beacons of Light and life in general. In times of uncertainty, we seem especially susceptible to the rumor mill. Sometimes these exist in our own parishes and oftentimes they come from other parishes.

If you hear any stories, ideas, or conclusions that sound a bit off, feel free to ask me, Fr. Jedidiah, or a member of our staff. We will do our best to answer clearly and honestly. There is no sense in adding to possibilities or rumors. We are always happy to answer questions or clarify what may be out and about.

Thanks again for all that you do to further the Kingdom of God and build saints for the future.

Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. Sean Wilson