Parish Bulletin Article: "Our #1 Mission": 12-31-17

            What an excellent time these last couple of weeks!  We have had a speaker, Eucharistic Adoration, reconciliation, praise and worship, the end of Advent and the beginning of Christmas.  Now we will worship at Mass for The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph on Saturday and Sunday, during the last days of 2017. 

2018 will begin with the last day of Christmas with the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God.  Please make it.

As 2018 begins, I would like to support a goal for all of our parishioners: pray, promote, encourage and focus on St. Thomas Aquinas School. 

I believe that our #1 mission in our parishes is our school.  I also think that when our school grows, our churches will grow and vis-à-vis. 

Why?  Well, the fact is that students at St. Thomas Aquinas will be present for over 1,000 hours each year and they will learn beyond academics.  They will learn about, and with, Jesus Christ (the best teacher), sacraments, sins and forgiveness, Catholic Social Justice, service, Mass, God’s Word and different ways to support our community and other Christian brothers and sisters. 

And it is growing.

When I arrived in International Falls on July 16th, 2014, we had 19 students registered.  Now we have 44 students Preschool-4th grade.  We have also grown with employees, volunteers, our school advisory, marketing and Facebook.

Each year we have had small steps towards Jesus Christ as he said, “Let the children come to me.”  Has it been perfect?  Nope.  While we have growing pains along the road, it is still getting better and better.

2018 will show new opportunities, as the 2017-2018 academic year will go to 2018-2019.  At this point we are discerning, conversing and praying for further small steps for the future.

In our family, we must continue to consider our own stewardship with time, talent and treasure.  This image must remain within our school, our parishes, our diocese and God’s kingdom around the world.

As your pastor, I think that focusing our school will not detriment the fantastic gifts that our family has and does each day.  In fact, when we dive into this mission—our #1 mission—will only support, encourage, engage and help our parishes, our community, our diocese and our journey towards Jesus Christ.

God Bless!