This article is being written rather quickly. I thought things would settle down after Holy Week and Easter, but with all the Baptisms, First Communions, wedding preparations, Bishop de Roo's visit, and all the other parish activities, there hasn't been much mental down time. So, please pardon if this is not up to my usual English teacher standards!
As many of you know, Beth Trunzo will be retiring effective August 9 but will still be involved in our parish in many ways. We thank her for her years of caring service to All Saints parish and wish her well in her new activities. John Yaquinta, our deacon candidate, will take over some of Beth's responsibilities in the new position of Pastoral Associate for Adult Formation. John will help with marriage and Baptism preparation, the RCIA team and VIRTUS certification for those working with children and youth.
We are now advertising on our parish website, the diocesan website, Catholilc Spirit and the parish bulletins in the Clarksburg vicariate for Director of Religious Education and Youth Ministry. This position will involve coordinating the religious education program from pre-K to adult, sacramental preparation for children and youth and developing a youth ministry program for the parish (a need which we've been unable to meet consistently on a volunteer basis). So far, we've had several qualified applicants. I will be interviewing applicants personally and will have some members of the parish council and a diocesan representative review the written applications and give recommendations. Please pray that we may discern the right decision, so that our parish may retain what is good in our present educational programs and be able to move forward into the future.
Regarding the parish pastorial council, please discern whether you may be called to this service and ministry to our community and attend the meeting on Monday, May 13. Many thanks to Matt de Luca, Tammy Diaz, Jane Ann Haught and Perry Skinner, as their terms end, for their service and attendance these past few years.
Congratulations again to our high school graduates. Whether you go away to school or continue to live locally, please know that you're in our thoughts and prayers and are always welcome back to All Saints for hours of rousing music, inspiring prayer and joyous community.
Many thanks to all those who have worked so hard on preparing for Bishop de Roo's presentations, all the activities in our social hall and the beautification of our grounds. You've done so much to make this both a beautiful physical plant and a great community to live in and visit.
Hope to see you all often this summer, when you're in town. Best of wishes and blessings for health, happiness and safety, both at home and while away.