It is a long-standing custom in our parish for the pastor and the finance council chairperson to offer an annual update on our parish – our programs, ministries, etc., as well as the summary of our previous financial year – the second weekend of September. We are so grateful that you make it possible for us to continue our mission of fostering the presence of Christ and growing disciples for the Lord Jesus.
In addition to the summary that you will hear at all Masses this weekend, and the financial report bulletin insert, we will be filming a more detailed version of the report and posting it online. We will let you know when this video is available.
In the 6 years that I have been pastor, it has been most encouraging to me to have your continued support of our parish ministries. Thank you so much for your many examples of fidelity to the Gospel, especially as we endured the pandemic. Thank you for your prayers, for your financial assistance and your notes of support as we continue to give thanks to God for who we are as the Parish of Saint Joseph.
Our Parish Stewardship Prayer sums up how we make it possible to further the Mission of the Gospel here in Mechanicsburg:
My parish is composed of people like me. I help make it what it is. It will be friendly, if I am. It will be holy, if I am. Its pews will be filled, if I help fill them. It will do great work, if I work. It will be prayerful, if I pray. It will make generous gifts to many causes, if I am a generous giver. It will bring others into worship, if I invite and bring them in. It will be a place of loyalty and love, of fearlessness and faith, of compassion, charity and mercy, if I, who make it what it is, am filled with these same things. Therefore, with the help of God, I now dedicate myself to the task of being all the things that I want my parish to be. Amen.