Dear parishioners,
With the big announcement a couple weeks ago about the future direction of our parish, I know many people are hurting. Please know of my continued prayers for all, and please know that I am very grateful to the many people who have reached out to me personally with words of support. As I mentioned last weekend at the end of Masses (although I forgot to mention it at the 4:00 Mass), we will be having an hour of Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament (adoration) every Monday from 7 P.M. to 8 P.M. in the Antwerp church through October 24. With much weighing on our minds and hearts now and in the coming weeks, this will be a good way for all of us to lay our worries, concerns, frustrations, questions, anger, etc. at Jesus’ feet while he is on the altar in the Eucharist. All are certainly welcome to come for this opportunity for prayer.
On a related note, as the first stage of our transition approaches quickly, I would like to invite everyone to consider helping with the ministries involved at all three of our Masses. As we are one parish, I want everyone to feel comfortable volunteering at any of our Masses for any of the roles available. While this is particularly urgent for getting things together for our 8:30 Mass as we move forward, it is true for all of the Masses, and all parish events. Please contact the parish office if you already know that you would like to volunteer to be an usher, greeter, reader, altar server, cantor, or sacristan for the 8:30 Mass once it moves to Paulding, or if you currently volunteer in any of these capacities and would like to do them at a different Mass time. If you already serve in these capacities at the 8:30 Mass and we do not hear from you, then we might reach out so we can know your preferences in this matter. I kindly ask your patience as we get all of these details ironed out. I am deeply grateful to those who serve our parish in these capacities as they make our weekend experience of the Mass happen smoothly and reverently.
There is always room for more members to join our adult choir and our children’s choir! If interested, please contact Jessica Schuster or the parish office.
Lastly, I would like to re-present some information regarding something that I and Parish Leadership Team addressed in the recent past. You might recall that a few months ago, a parishioner created a document containing pictures from the engineer’s report, with the goal of refuting that same report. We sent an electronic message to parishioners via email, text, the parish app, and social media. However, it was recently brought to my attention that there is some confusion among those who do not receive any form of electronic communication. So, to clarify any confusion that might still be afoot, I would like to reiterate that this parishioner’s document contains incomplete, and at times erroneous information. If you have any further questions, please contact the parish office.
Blessings and continued prayers for all,
Fr. Ammanniti
