Message from Father Rick
January 2012
Dear friends,
Happy New Year everyone! Believe it or not we find ourselves preparing for a brand new year. New hopes, dreams and expectations are core to welcoming a new year.
Part of starting something new also involves remembering what we’ve left behind. 2011 has been a year few will forget. We witnessed and continue to be humbled by the strength and destruction the natural world unleashed last year. 2011 presented us with an amazing winter with record snows that threatened our buildings and tested our patience and wallets. A tornado wrecked havoc with our neighbors to the North. Our state was pummeled by a hurricane and later by a freak fall snow storm that left us as vulnerable as a small child. Many of us even felt the slight tremor of an earthquake! Through it all, however, we stood strong knowing that no matter what the natural world threw at us, we would persevere because we are tied to something far greater than anything the world can offer – and that is Christ. He is the constant in our lives; through good times and bad. What an awesome God we have that we can be touched by his presence in Word and Sacrament. Our New Year’s Resolution should be one that ties us even closer to his presence in our hearts and in the lives of our loved ones.
As pastor of this wonderful community, I often reflect and pray for our spiritual health. The parish, I have to conclude, had a great year. I thank everyone for their generosity of time, talent and treasure. I am humbled by your steadfast spirits and your willingness to reach out to those who are in need. A new year has arrived, so we say farewell to 2011 and thank God for guiding us through the year’s journey. 2012 awaits us with new hope, joys, experiences, and challenges. May He bless this new journey with His grace, direction, and peace. Happy New Year everyone.
With peace,
Fr. Rick