A Letter from Fr. Paul – May 22, 2016

This weekend we celebrate the feast of the Most Holy Trinity. Many analogies have been used to try to explain this mystery (shamrock, three forms of water [liquid, ice, steam], the sun [material, heat, light], etc.). Ultimately, it is a mystery! All we need to remember is that the Father is the CREATING God, the Son is the REDEEMING God, and the Holy Spirit is the SANCTIFYING God. As we celebrate this mystery, let us thank God for our creation and redemption, while asking to be ever more open to His sanctifying presence.

One of the goals this year for our cluster has been to combine our religious education programs (K-8) into one. To that end a job opening was posted, applications were reviewed, interviews held, and the interview committee offered the position to someone with impressive credentials who would have been an excellent contribution to the future of our parishes. After serious discernment and prayer, the person accepted a position outside the Church because of family considerations.

The two pastors, together with the members of the interview committee, have decided that it is too late to post again for this year and surface the quality of candidate we feel our parishioners deserve. With the generous agreement of both Maggie Pernice and Barb Abler, who currently are overseeing our programs on an interim basis and hold great trust and respect within our parishes, we will continue with two programs for another year, while we make connections and actively look for candidates who meet our high expectations.

While we are disappointed that the person we wanted could not take the position, we are confident that the Spirit is leading us to the best solution for our communities. Please continue to keep this whole process in your prayers. We thank Maggie and Barb for their willingness to sacrifice for the good of our communities. And we thank the search committee for their excellent work: Barb Abler, Melita Biese, Fr. Phillip Bogacki, Deacon John Ebel, Fr. Paul Portland SDS, Fr. Dennis Saran, Cindy Schmidt, and Dean Weyer.

Now that First Communion and Confirmation are over, I would like to thank Barb Abler for her great work with our children and youth this year. Her dedication is inspiring. Good luck with the Vacation Bible School and the mission trip! I also thank our religious education teachers, who volunteer so much of their time. And those who enable us to have the Liturgy of the Word for Children. The generosity of all of you is appreciated. God bless!
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Monday evening the nominees for the Pastoral Council will meet with the current Council members in a discernment session. Thank you to those open to this service to our community. Please keep the discernment in your prayers.

-- Paul James Portland, SDS