Outpouring of Generosity
June 30 will close out another fiscal year for our parishes. As we close out the books for 2022-2023 and prepare the annual financial report, thank you for your generosity toward our parishes. We’ve experienced your kindness and generosity on many levels. It has contributed to the many ministries that we offer to our parishioners.
In the weekly bulletin, we include the weekly collection report. Beginning in July, we will adjust the giving brackets. Currently it divides the collection based on the number of envelopes: $40+, $30-39, $20-29, $10-19, $1-9. We will widen the report to reflect the reality that many people give $100 per week. Thank you for your continued generosity. The new brackets will be: $1-19, $20-29, $30-59, $60-99, $100+.
In addition, I would like to thank the Kleinhenz-Moeller Foundation for their continued generosity toward our parishes. The foundation and its trustees do a wonderful job staying up to date with the various needs in our parishes. We are incredibly grateful for their support. In early July, our high school students will attend the Steubenville Conference in Springfield, Missouri and the Kleinhenz-Moeller foundation offers a very generous gift to offset the cost.
Thank you in advance to everyone who will be helping out with the St. Joseph Festival. Your time and talent is an incredible gift. Please begin praying for good weather and a safe festival. The St. Joseph Festival is always a wonderful event for parishioners and the entire community. Thank you for your support.
Finally we have two big feast days on the horizon. On June 24th, we celebrate the Nativity of John the Baptist. This feast day is always near the summer solstice, which means that the days are beginning to get shorter (bummer). The light diminishes and in six months, Jesus Christ, the true light will dawn on Christmas day. The birth of John the Baptist reminds us to look towards the birth of Christ. John the Baptist prepares us to receive Christ the Lord.
On June 29th, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of St. Peter and St. Paul, Apostles. These incredible saints were also the patrons of the original Petersburg parish. Their feast day is important for us. St. Peter and St. Paul experienced the power of Jesus Christ and it forever changed their lives. They went all over the known world proclaiming the resurrection of Jesus. They give us an example to follow; an example of faith, boldness, and forgiveness.
Both of them experienced the power of Jesus’ forgiveness. St. Peter denied Jesus three times during his trial and had to be forgiven of this. Before his conversion, St. Paul persecuted Christians. He would drag them out of their homes so that they could be punished. Hopefully we also experience the power of Christ’s forgiveness.
May you continue to have a blessed summer.
Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. Sean Wilson
