The first pastoral commandment is closeness: being close to the people. Closeness. – Pope Francis
Can you imagine 4,800 activities, events, programs, and celebrations? That is the current number of planned events within the St. John facilities for the coming year, up nearly 600 from last year. This is the number of events outside our Mass schedule and other celebrations within the church. That is roughly 13 events a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. And we are only just getting started.
Starting with the Doo Whop Night, new engaging programs are coming to St. John thanks to the dedication and devotion of our ministries and our Parish Family. The community around us continues to grow, and our ability to serve those needing support, like Al-Anon, a support group that serves families that include those battling addictions, along with a rapidly expanding Faith Formation program (with weekly Adult programs along with over 410 youth packing every room we have on Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings) illustrates this active environment.
We need every person’s prayers, support, and joy for our Parish Family. As Our Holy Father made clear to us all on his trip to the US:
Love is something we learn; love is something we live; love grows as it is “forged” by the concrete situations which each particular family experiences. Love is born and constantly develops amid lights and shadows.
As we develop and start the programs associated with our Build Our Future, Serve Our Past campaign for all members of our Parish Family, like the Catholic Adult Organization and CYO, we need our entire Parish Family to give in order to reach our additional goals. If you have any questions, please contact Joe Lichwalla, the Campaign Coordinator at 239-495-2001 or email: [email protected].
You can also learn more information about the Campaign at: www.sjecc.com/future