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Friday, 30 July 2010

Scripture Web Sites

Great scripture sites recommended by Fr. John Donahue

www.textweek.com
www.nowyouknowmedia.com

Pictures to follow of the Scripture Institute.

Sent wirelessly from my BlackBerry device on the Bell network.
Envoyé sans fil par mon terminal mobile BlackBerry sur le réseau de Bell.

Wednesday, 28 July 2010

From your Pastor

This week I am away at the 42nd Annual Institute on Sacred Scripture at Misericordia University in Dallas, PA.  I am a regular at the conference and greatly enjoyed Fr. John Donahue, S.J., Dr. Bonnie Thurston and Fr. Michael Patella OSB who were presenters.  "The Institute on Sacred Scripture relates to those of all educational backgrounds with the simplicity and elegance of the Scriptures themselves."  So I hope that some parishioners will join me at the institute to grow in love with the scriptures, we had some complication with our communications while I was away.  We have been forwarding your calls through the various answering systems that each parish had.  This has caused some problems.  Soon we will have a new phone system which will allow us to answer your calls at both offices and forward your messages after hours.  The goal is to greet and handle your call at both numbers in the same way.  Until then I ask your patience as we continue to minister together at St. Michael's & Sacred Heart.
Sent wirelessly from my BlackBerry device on the Bell network.
Envoyé sans fil par mon terminal mobile BlackBerry sur le réseau de Bell.

Thursday, 22 July 2010

Job Opening

St. Michael’s & Sacred Heart

Position Title: House Keeper/Cook

Closing Date: Aug 3, 2010

Part Time Hourly: Fifteen (15) hours per week. Rate in Accordance to the Diocese of London Guidelines.

Position Description: General responsibilities to include grocery shopping on a re-determined budget, providing meals on Tuesday and Thursday evening, do general housekeeping and laundry for resident priests and associates at Bright's Grove Residence. Job sharing will be considered if no other suitable candidates.

Required Skills: Ability to: maintain confidentiality, have own vehicle and driver’s license, work with others and independently, attention to clean and tidy, and demonstrate a variety of meal planning and cooking experience.

Please Send Resume, References and Other Information to:

St. Michael's & Sacred Heart
Attn: Search Committee
1465 Lecaron Ave
Sarnia, ON
N7V 3J4

Principles for Transition

Our transitional pastoral council is begin to draft some principles of transition.  We hope these will be a good starting point that wil create a vibrant faith communtiy.

Draft Statement of Principles for St. Michael’s and Sacred Heart Transition Process

July 7th, 2010 Draft

1. We trust that the Holy Spirit will work through all of us to build a vibrant faith community that transcends even the greatest vision we could hold at this time.

2. We commit ourselves to the development of a transition process keeping in mind the requirements and needs of all the faithful in each parish, the Pastoral Plan of the Diocese and the decision of Bishop Fabbro in Parish Reorganization.

3. We approach dialogue reverencing each parish as equal partners in the building of our faith community.

4. We trust God will enable us to realize the common good.

5. We will approach the changes/challenges as opportunities as we co-create a new reality.

6. We commit ourselves to meaningful dialogue with all the faith community stakeholders.

Wednesday, 21 July 2010

From Your Pastor

It is always good to review and renew. As we create a new faith
community, our goal to minister together at St. Michael's & Sacred
Heart. This means a new Pastoral Plan, Strategic Financial Plan and a
unified Personnel Plan for our faith community. A transitional Pastoral
Council has been named that will guide us in the formation of a
permanent Pastoral Council for the cluster which should be in place by
January. A Finance Committee is being formed that will create a
Strategic Financial Plan, oversee employee assessments, review quarterly
expenses/receipts and report to the parish annually. We have already
begun to work out some of the principles of cost sharing and
transitioning. There is also a need for a building committee for each
parish. Summer is a good time to mull over some of these things so that
in September we can minister together in St. Michael's & Sacred Heart
Faith Community.

Sunday, 18 July 2010

World Youth Day - Spain

I am looking forward to join our youth as we make a spiritual pilgrimage to World Youth Day.

From your Pastor

We have two wonderful parishes coming together to co-create a new faith
community. It is a great opportunity to review and renew. Our combined
Pastoral Team and combined Admintrative Team are working to serve the
entire faith community of both parishes. I thank them and the principles
of transition our Pastoral Council are forming for leading us in our
work.

Fr. Antony and I have settled into our house in the Grove and soon we
will begin to relocate offices into the living space at Sacred Heart. We
look to your continued prayers as we continue to minister together in
St. Michael's & Sacred Heart.

Fr. Peter

Wednesday, 7 July 2010

Slowly, slowly

Slowly… Slowly the pieces are coming together.  It is wonderful to have Fr. Antony here with us.  Every time I feel lost, I think of Antony leaving everything to minister here with us.  I agree with him that the hospitality of the people makes the difference.  I have enjoyed that hospitality when forming a transitional Pastoral Council for the cluster and when I met with the Finance Committee of each parish.  These two committees will be essential to give direction to our cluster while providing transparency and trust.
     As we begin, everyone wants to know about two things... mass times and money.  First, weekend mass times will not be changing for the time being because we have two priests.  In August we may add some more weekday masses.  I understand that consistency is important so we will strive to create a schedule where masses will not need to be cancelled if one of us is away.
     In regards to money; each parish will continue to responsible for their own assets.  Whether that is the buildings you have built or the finances you give.  Yet, this will be balanced with the shared pastoral work.  We have a wonderful staff who will share the work of the entire cluster while our Pastoral Council will be responsible for creating a unified pastoral plan for the cluster.  This will help the staff and all of us to minister together in St. Michael's and Sacred Heart.
Sent wirelessly from my BlackBerry device on the Bell network.
Envoyé sans fil par mon terminal mobile BlackBerry sur le réseau de Bell.

Sunday, 4 July 2010

First Weekend in Sarnia

Fr. Antony mass went well at St. Michael's. He was impressed at how well people participated, especially in organizing things.
For me at Sacred Heart the people and music were wonderful. I am beginning to realize all the things Fr. Lenn and Stella did. I did have the commentators sheet in the right place and I was confused by the many vessels for communion.

With the first mass jitters out of the way, Sunday should be great. I miss St. Boniface and St. Peter's but I know God (and the Bishop) have their reasons for sending Fr. Antony and me here. I trust that the Holy Spirit is working because I see the many fruits of the kingdom here.

Sent wirelessly from my BlackBerry device on the Bell network.
Envoyé sans fil par mon terminal mobile BlackBerry sur le réseau de Bell.

Thursday, 1 July 2010

From your Pastor:

I feel like a baby starting over again. This is my first day and everything is new. Yet; even as Fr. Antony and I begin here at St. Michael’s and Sacred Heart, I realize we have a lot to be thankful for. The ministry of Fr. Joe Snyder, Fr. Len Desjardins, Stella Burns and most recently Fr. Peter Poel have been a continued blessing to this community. As we approach the anniversary of Fr. Joe death, it is important to remember all the contributions of those who have ministered in our communities and pledge ourselves to continue to bear the fruits of the kingdom.
Since it was announced that I was being transferred to St. Michael’s and Sacred Heart, I have met informally with the ministry and administrative staffs of both parishes. I am assured of their insight and support as we begin ministry together. A transitional Pastoral Council has been formed to give input into the practical pieces of the clustering and to craft a new permanent Pastoral Council in January which will be responsible for long term pastoral planning

As the Pastoral Council, finance committees, pastoral team and administrative team begin to work together, it will be important to keep you informed. We have two wonderful dynamic parishes which I pray will benefit from ministering together.

Transition Time

As you can see my blog is slowly changing... as we are all. I hope to use this blog to communicate how the transition is going. I hope to have your continued prayer support.