From the Pastor’s Desk

By Fr. Terry Kerner

With the start of May, we can all look forward to better weather, longer days, spring flowers and all those nasty allergens. The word is that this year the pollen and all the allergies are worse than most years. Hopefully, you and your family members are able to cope with these seasonal allergies. We do want to remind you that the church and all the pews and furniture are sanitized twice a week and all the protocols are observed. I say this especially for the many new parishioners and visitors that we are seeing on the weekends. Welcome to all of you.

In the next few weeks we will be mailing the Catholic Services Appeal (CSA) letter and donation card. Many folks have already received a request from the Archbishop and you may want to respond to it directly by mailing it into the clearing house in Minneapolis or bringing it to the parish directly. The Archdiocese is encouraging participation and offering an alternative to the manner that we have conducted our own parish campaign in the past. We will continue to conduct the drive in the usual way however. Because of you we have had great success and positive participation. As you know whatever is collected over the target remains in the parish and we use for capital improvements. This year we are looking at replacing our gutters and downspouts on all the buildings as well as some sidewalk replacement in front of the parish office. Look for my letter in the next few weeks for all the information you need to know. (Someone suggested that the government incentive checks at this time of year were divinely inspired!)

I want to encourage our visitors and new parishioners to take time to check out our parish property behind the church and parish center. It’s a beautiful setting with the Blessed Mother as its centerpiece along with a Way of the Cross. If you always park in the front lot take a moment to drive around the building to see the blessings we have been given!

Have a good week and for all of us suffering with allergies, keep the Kleenex handy!