FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK
By Fr. Terry Kerner
One of the three challenges of Lent, after prayer and fasting, is almsgiving. There are many ways of sharing your resources and accomplishing the spirit of the Lenten season. St. Kateri parishioners have generously embraced our challenges and responsibilities this past Lent. Though I never enjoy “talking money” and seldom do, I asked everyone if we could help with the Offertory shortfall we were experiencing. When we began the season of Lent on March second our Offertory was short of its budget target by $30,993. I am happy to report that this past Sunday, the third Sunday of the Easter season, the deficit declined to $8,356 — a 74% reduction.
You might also recall that another challenge to your almsgiving was the Lennon Center and its ministry to women seeking an alternative to abortion. Something as simple as an empty baby bottle answered the call for generous hearts to bring to birth scores of infants in our community. As of last Sunday, our final day of the drive, $11,264 has been donated. Further donations can be made directly to the Center if you care to do so.
And we cannot forget the Palm Sunday pancake breakfast sponsored jointly by St. Kateri and the Knights of Columbus. We cannot but be proud of your free will offerings that raised $10,500 which will be matched by the national office of K of C and sent to relief centers at Polish and Ukraine councils.
You can be very proud of all your efforts this past Lenten season. If your almsgiving is any sign of your generosity, think about how powerful your prayers must be as well. As far as fasting goes — we won’t go there!
Have a great week.
