This and That

Next weekend, July 6 & 7 we will host our Summer Mission Co-operative Plan speakers. Each summer we are sent speakers to share on behalf of their missions. The Sisters of Charity of Nazareth (SCNs) will be present at all four Petersburg parishes to share SCN family stories and they have sent a message to prepare for their arrival.

Charlotte Hazas, SCN Associate and Jo Ann Paulin, SCN Associate will speak at the Masses next weekend on behalf of the SCN ministries, which began in the United States in 1812, expanding to India in 1947, Belize in 1975, Nepal in 1979 and Botswana in 2000.

This Sisters of Charity of Nazareth were founded in Nelson County Kentucky in 1812. Through their ministries of healthcare, education and social service, they carry the message of Christ’s love for those in need throughout the world. Learn more about the ministries of their Congregation at scnfamily.org.

They will speak to us about the works of their Sisters and invite us to be part of the SCN Family by participating through our prayers and financial assistance. A special collection will be taken up to support the sisters in their ministry to the victimized, oppressed and marginalized internationally. They are grateful for your generosity.

A couple of other items also need to be mentioned. First the 4th of July festival is this week. I look forward to seeing you there. Pray that we have good weather! Also St. Joseph received a very generous bequest from a parishioner who died last year. We are extremely grateful for this kind gift. Remember as you are planning your estate to remember your parishes.

Also I would like to thank the Kleinhenz-Moeller foundation for their continued generosity. Recently I spoke with a member of the foundation. He reminded me just how much has been accomplished through the foundation’s generosity. I thank God for their generosity.

Finally we have been discussing the parking lot at Immaculate Conception and I would like to give you a couple updates. First you probably have noticed the cracking and a number of low spots in the blacktop. I have talked to a friend who owns an asphalt company and a parishioner who knows the story of our parking lot. From what I gather, the parking lot was laid after the old school building was demolished. Instead of laying a gravel foundation, the blacktop was laid directly over the compacted dirt. This means that we can’t simply mill it down and repave it. There are two options either overlay pave what is already present, which was done in 2007, or tear up the parking lot and start from scratch. The worry with the overlay is that it is simply a Band-Aid to the current issues and the issues will appear in a few years. Of course the issue with tearing up the parking lot is the price. We will seek further opinions and quotes. Stay-tuned for future updates.

Have a blessed Fourth of July and I look forward to seeing you at the festival.

Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. Sean Wilson