Last Thoughts for 2008

To all you faithful readers out there, this is the last column for 2008. The next two weeks we will be in the holiday mode. Fr. Paul has already traveled up to New Jersey to be with family. He will return on December 27. I’ll fly home on December 25th after the 10:00 a.m. Mass and will be back in time for New Year’s Eve. To all those who are traveling over the holidays, God Speed! Always look for Paulists in the airport. Our motto is: “There is always a Paulist in the air at any given moment…”

2008 has been a very full year in the life of our parish. There have been wonderful celebrations like the Paulist Anniversary Mass and reception at World’s Fair Park. The Spirit moved us in powerful liturgies, especially at the Easter Vigil, as we baptized seven adults by full emersion. We have seen a growth in our outreach and service from local efforts such as the Interfaith Hospitality Network and the Elf Project to to missionary outreach to such places as Uganda, Haiti, and Chile. We welcomed in many new students and families this past year, energizing our community with new life. There have been sad moments, too, as we said farewell to a number of wonderful parishioners who we hope and trust we will meet again in heaven.

As we close out this year, many are concerned about the economy. Despite gloomy forecasts, John XXIII remains hope-filled! I want to thank you, in a special way, for your ongoing financial support of the parish. As we close the second quarter of our fiscal year, our parish finances are in the black, after a slight downturn in October. The finance council remains vigilant and is keeping close watch on how things are going. If you notice that our weekly collections are below $6,000 on a regular basis, you can rest assured that we are concerned.

We have much to give thanks for as we prepare to celebrate Christmas. The Advent message invites us to look to the future with hope in the Lord and challenges us to be the signs of that awesome hope for others. Christ has come, is with us now, and will come again in glory. Alleluia! Bring on 2009!

Merry Christmas to all!

Paulist Fathers Update

The week after Thanksgiving I went up to the December Paulist General Council meeting for the Paulist Fathers. As an elected member of the Council, I have to trek up to New York City quarterly for meetings. The Council oversees the running of the community and seeks to keep our mission in focus. The council job also requires that I go out on regular visitations of other Paulist parishes as well as chair some subcommittees. Frankly, I can do without the extra time away and travel, but it is also a critical time in the life of the community and I am happy to pitch in.

Knoxville came up at the last meeting. The Parish Council and the Finance Council have been considering how best to use the local monies from the Paulist Capital Campaign. Thanks to your generous pledges and timely giving, we expect about $300,000 to return to Knoxville from Immaculate Conception and John XXIII gifts. The money is to be used to expand the Paulist Mission in our area. To that end, the General Council gave us the go ahead to explore renovations to our existing residence that would enable us to house one or two more Paulists full time here: a missionary like Fr. Terry, Seminarians who could be assigned here for a pastoral internship, or a retired priest. Both councils were enthusiastic about this idea, as it would help solidify Paulist presence in Knoxville. There would still be significant resources to develop programming in our area that focus on Paulist Mission Directions such as evangelization, reconciling Catholics back to the Church, and interfaith/ecumenical outreach.

In time, we will have more to report about how your contributions to the Paulist Capital Campaign are being put to good use. Thanks so much for your on going support of us! Fr. Paul and I are very grateful.