Welcome to your new spiritual home, the Roman Catholic Church of Saint Mary. The title of our weekly bulletin clearly states our identity: we are a people called to be a Christian Community under the protection of Mary, the Mother of God and Mother of the Church. It seems odd for me to be welcoming you to your own home! Baptism made you a child of God, a part of Christ’s Body, his Church, and a temple of God’s Holy Spirit. As a registered member of this Catholic community, you are a part of Saint Mary parish family. This is now your spiritual home!

Our Christian faith teaches that we are to help each other journey through life. The sacred Scriptures give us this description of the first Christian community:

“They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread, and to the prayers. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their property and possessions and divide them among all according to each one’s need. And every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.” [Acts 2: 42, 44-45, 47b.]

As a Christian community, we must strive to meet each other’s needs, especially our sacramental needs: the Sacraments of Christian Growth: Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist; the Sacraments of Healing: Reconciliation [Confession] and Anointing of the Sick; and the Sacraments of Commitment: Holy Orders and Matrimony. Please contact the Religious Formation Office or Parish Office if you need any sacramental information. Most Sacraments have mandatory preparation sessions, so do not delay in contacting us, especially when children or non-Catholics who wish to join our Church are involved.

In the name of this community, let us know how we can help you. And in the name of God, please let us know how you can help us! Everyone can do something for their church: people are needed to help with Liturgy, Social Outreach Programs, Religious Formation for all age levels, and with the upkeep and care of our physical plant. [We prefer the volunteer professional expertise of parishioners whenever possible!] Pray and ask the Lord: what can my Church do for me, and what can I do for my Church?

If you’re getting the idea that joining our parish is a two-way street, you are right! The Lord has called us together, to be one family, to care for each other, and to help Him build His Kingdom on earth! I hope our journey together will be fruitful for all of us!

Sincerely in Christ,

Very Reverend Michael J. Kreder, V.F., KCHS
Pastor