Second Collection for Fr. Francis and the Notre Dame high school seminary: Parish Bulletin--September 7th, 2014

This weekend we are taking a second collection for Fr. Francis Kodelego and his seminary in Ghana, Africa.  If you would like to contribute to this fund, please write a check to St. Thomas Aquinas Parish with a memo: "Notre Dame well project".  These can be mailed to 810 5th St/International Falls, MN 56649.  Thank you!          

            This weekend there will be a second collection at all the Masses for a special cause—a mechanized water system for Fr. Francis’ seminary in Ghana.  Like Fr. Kris, I am not a huge fan of second collections but consider this a unique opportunity.

            First, I want to thank Fr. Francis for spending so much time with us.  His presence at Mass, preaching and presiding at Liturgy and openness to us was inspiring.  I hope his stay helped you both see the universality of the Church and the need to support our brothers and sisters around the globe.  I know I am truly grateful for having such a wise priest walk with me through my first weeks as a brand new pastor!

            My connection with priests in Ghana has been one of the most eye opening experiences in the formation of my priesthood.  I had the honor of studying with four seminarians (who are now priests back home).  I traveled to the Diocese of Navrongo-Bolgatanga in 2012 for their ordination and earlier this year for a mission trip with twenty-five people from St. John’s.  While it can be easy for me—and all of us—to be caught up in our American culture of excess, my friends abroad help me be grateful for what I have and inspire me to share what I can. 

As pastor, I know we have financial obligations.  Many of us have our own list of things that need fixing or remodeling around St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Columban—a ceiling tile here, bathroom there, cleaning this, replacing that.  Yet we must always be grateful for the gifts we have that many parishes around the world do not.  We have clean drinking water without worrying about a well drying up or being contaminated.  We have electricity that provides adequate lighting, sound, air conditioning and heat.  Between our parishes we have four fully furnished kitchens.  (In one of the churches we stayed at in January, the kitchen was a one-burner propane unit on which all of the cooking was done!)  Catholics around the world would be blown away if they could be given what we already have.

As we continue to discern how to best maintain our material assets, pay off debts and keep a balanced budget, it is crucial that we continue to be generous to those wanting of basic necessities.

Notre Dame seminary in Navrongo, Ghana is blessed with a well.  The challenge is this well often dries up.  Since there is not a reliable reservoir or piping system for the water, access to it can be difficult.  Fr. Francis informed me that his seminarians often need to fetch water from the well simply to drink or bathe.  His desire is to mechanize the well, which means developing both a transport and reservoir system so water can be stored throughout the year.  This will cut their costs, offer easy access to water and provide a reserve for their sustenance.

As time goes on, I will continue to introduce you to the beautiful men and women of Ghana hoping they will be as inspiring to you as they have been to me.  Sometime in the next two years I will lead a trip to Navrongo-Bolgatanga to visit my classmates and Fr. Francis.

For now, please be generous in helping make a basic necessity we take for granted—easy access to clean water—a reality for Notre Dame Seminary.  Checks can be written to St. Thomas Aquinas with a memo: Notre Dame well project.  The money will be wired to Fr. Francis when he returns and every penny will be spent on this project.

           Thank you and God bless!