February 9, 2025

Dear Friends in Christ,
The “Partners in the Gospel” strategic plan invites us to identify as a family of four parishes in the process of eventually becoming a single canonical parish. Part of that process is still belonging to our immediate parish family while also beginning to relate more and more to our extended family of parishes.
Part of our extended family, as Catholics, includes those who belong to the various ethnic groups that make up our society. For the past 55 years, February has become known as “Black History Month,” a time to celebrate the important people and events of the African American Community in our country and our church. One such figure was Sr. Thea Bowman OSF, whose cause for canonization has begun in the Catholic Church. She was a teacher, preacher, and liturgist who sang of the goodness, beauty, and truth of Black People in our church and society. I had the great privilege to hear Sr. Thea speak years ago before she died of cancer at the age of 53. On that occasion, she said the following: "I think the difference between me and some people is that I'm content to do my little bit. Sometimes, people think they have to do big things in order to make a change. But if each one would light a candle, we'd have a tremendous light."  Please join me in celebrating the presence and gifts of our black brothers and sisters everywhere.
Our extended church family also consists of many faithful and gifted women whom we increasingly recognize as having gifts of spiritual leadership in our parishes. Catholic women have served in various parish ministries for centuries as religious and lay volunteers. A new moment is before us where the pastoral leadership of our faith communities will increasingly be offered by capable and dynamic Catholic women. This is a partnership and collaboration I wholeheartedly support through many efforts, including those of our “Phoebe Circle,” who advocate for more opportunities for Catholic women to offer their leadership gifts in support of the life of our church. This weekend at some of our Masses, we will be blessed to hear a reflection by Manon Cypher, a member of St. Bridget Parish, a parent of children at ASB school, and a theology teacher at Bishop Blanchet High School.
Praise the Lord for the rich and diversified gifts we share as the family of God!
Fr. William Heric, Pastor