My Dear Parish Family,

I feel compelled with pride to write to you this week. It is the pride of a father for his spiritual children who surprise and delight him. You have made me smile and I want to share with you the reason in the hopes we can all more deeply appreciate our accomplishments.

I delight in you and in your generosity as we have reached and surpassed our goal for the Annual Catholic Appeal. Every year since ordination, I have supported this appeal, which largely funds the cost of educating and caring for seminarians in their long years of study when they are unable to have outside jobs. I am grateful that this year 209 households (up from 165 in 2024!) have made the decision and sacrifice to give to the Appeal, and to support the greater work of our Diocese. We belong to a much larger church, which engages in works beyond our town, but also helps us to accomplish ministry right here. Your support of the Appeal shows that you value that broad effort.

We are one of thirty-nine parishes (97 in the Diocese) who have made the pledge goal. Twelve  more are very close to their goal, and we hope they make goal too! We shall receive a rebate of $3,900 for surpassing two milestones and any funds donated over goal will return to us. Again, thank you so much!

I also want to thank you for your support of the Anchor House Ride for Runaways. This year, eighty-eight supporters helped me raise $5,855 for the Foundation, which seeks to donate a little over half a million dollars annually to the total $3 million budget of Anchor House. Our work makes a significant difference in the lives of young people who often have nowhere else to turn. 

In both cases, what strikes me is the typical size of the gift. Very often people gave $25, $50, or $100. In other words, a lunch date, a tank of gas, or an evening out. Members of our parish family chose to make sacrifices in order to come together in support—many hands making light work.

And it could be easier not to give, not to support, or even to say: “What difference does my twenty bucks make?” But it DOES make a difference. Your contribution makes a difference especially when joined together with all the other gifts. This is how many hands coming together in support of something can make an enormous difference. Alone we cannot do much, but together we can accomplish great things! Any size gift when made with love makes a difference. 

So I am taking this opportunity to write to you with a heart full of gratitude for the way so many have rallied in support of these greater causes, and for all the ways you support our parish. That extra $5 or $10 in the collection each week makes a difference. At first, it might not feel significant—but when each of us gives generously from what God has blessed us with, together we can achieve extraordinary things. I’m truly honored to be walking this journey with you.

God bless you for your goodness!

Fr. Wilson