Twilight Twitches

Dear Family,
ABCD Update!
You are great! As I write (on Feb. 11th) we are at 67% of our goal. That means $33,388 to go. I know we can.

For those of you who are visitors or new to the parish, ABCD (ArchBishop’s Charities and Development) is the appeal the Archdiocese makes each year to help fund outreach work that extends beyond parishes. They are the joint responsibilities of all the parishes. It’s a fixed part of the budget.

So, if we are not able to meet our goal, we will have to fund the difference from our regular parishes revenues. In return for that condition, the Archdiocese will also return to the parish any excess over our goal. Can I call that “we got your back” holiness?” Never mind. I won’t push it.

Dear Family,
As Kansas City basked in the joy and light of Super Bowl victory, I was thinking about our other Archbishop, namely Archbishop Jim Keleher, our good friend and Archbishop Emeritus of Kansas City, Kansas. I called him last Monday morning and he was delighted about the outcome. He said he was getting concerned until “the boys” finally came through in the fourth quarter. He prayed them through right until the end. He hopes perhaps to see us in the not too distant future. Hearing him sound well was a great way to start the week.

Before I even write my next words, I know I am probably going to be in big, serious, hairy eyeball trouble. The words I’m thinking: “Why is it that I’ve never heard one woman’s junk is another woman’s treasure”? The answer: “Because men are from Mars and women are from Venus.”

Dear Family,
Talk about SUPER. We’ve got it all today, and it isn’t just happening in the “Bowl” of the Hard Rock Stadium. (Go Chiefs – waiting 50 years. I know how they feel.)

Groundhog Day finds folk in western Pennsylvania watching for Punxsutawney Phil. If he sees his shadow as he emerges from hibernation, we (they) have six more weeks of winter. No shadow means Spring is coming quicker. Seems like it should be the other way around. Go Figure.

Then there is Candlemas Day. This is when people traditionally bring candles to be blessed. The tradition is that it gives the folk light to face the remaining winter weeks.

Dear Family,
I’m writing last Monday, January 20th, the Feast of Saint Sebastian. There was a good group at 8:00 a.m. morning Mass. In honor of St. Seb, we sang. We were in good voice and good cheer.  I didn’t ask how many had been at our dinner at Tropical Acres on the 17th, but this morning’s cheer was a carryover for me.

The Pastoral Council members pitched in and each had a part in making our dinner a huge success. Judy Fisher sent out 650 invitations. Connie Reed, Liz Calhoun and Annie Gardner were the organizers par excellence. Nancy Adams, Frank Krauser, Rosemary Guerin and Ann Murry went early to set up, labeling tables and making sure each place had a special pen. (Shining the light of Christ! Get it?) Chuck Wobby rounded out the group with handling the seating assignments – no mean feat - and smiling a welcome for folks as he did so.