Are you finding this season more congested than any in recent memory? As a meteorologist, I will once again blame the weather for our massive influx of seasonal visitors this year. Did you know that Chicago has had 22 days of below zero temperatures this winter? The record, dating all the way back to 1885, is 25 days and with over a month left of winter, there is a good chance that record will be broken. Conversely, with the exception of a three week “cool stretch” back in January, Naples has been an idyllic location to hide from the brutal winter being experienced in literally all 47 contiguous states, sans Florida. As I write my column, it is currently snowing from Charleston, South Carolina to Atlanta, Georgia with significant icing expected. At the same time, those of us living in paradise will see a high of 83 degrees. So while we are slightly irritated with the congestion on our roadways, restaurants and even in Mass, we can take comfort in the fact that those just to the north of here are shivering in the ice and snow.
This weekend is known as commitment Sunday for the Catholic Faith Appeal. For many years, on this same weekend, either myself or a representative of finance would address the congregation at each Mass and pitch the CFA. Last year, after a very successful CFA campaign in 2012, we decided to experiment with foregoing the live solicitation for the appeal and instead allowing our parishioners to contribute on their own without having to be coerced by one of us. Obviously this experiment met with success as we exceeded our goal again in 2013. With that said, we will not be addressing you from the pulpit this year but will ask that you please make a pledge to the Catholic Faith Appeal so that we meet with success again in 2014. As you will see in the collection summary, our assessment has increased yet again and we will need the support of ALL our parishioners to meet this lofty goal. There is a great piece of literature available in the narthex with frequently asked questions about the CFA, if you are interested. Thanks in advance for your support of the CFA.
I am not sure if it was my incorrect reference to the new pedestal shape in the Rose Garden as a hexagon, however, I have yet to find a suitor for the new addition which will be located adjacent to the current Veterans’ Memorial. I honestly thought that I would have been in the midst of a bidding war. As I mentioned only two weeks ago, we are offering naming rights for the new Rose Garden as well as the top of the pedestal for engraving the names of family members or loved ones you would like to recognize or memorialize. The cost to have the Rose Garden named after you and exclusive rights to the top of the pedestal is $15,000.00. Please contact me at 566.1678 if you are interested.
Family Fun and Ministry Day is quickly approaching. I want to take every opportunity possible to make all our parishioners aware of this parish event which (in only one year) has become our signature event. This event will take place on Sunday, March 9 from noon until 3:00 p.m. and will stretch from the Parish Life Center courtyard to the far northern reaches of our campus. Although this event if completely free of charge, your RSVP is mandatory so that we may accurately purchase food and beverage. There is a full page flyer on page 7 in this bulletin with a registration form that may be torn out and dropped in the offertory. You may also turn in your registration directly to the parish office. Finally, this year you will also be able to register on our website. The food portion of this event is being graciously hosted by our Men’s Club and is an enormous undertaking. We are anticipating over 1,000 in attendance which adds up to a lot of hamburgers and hot dogs. In addition, there will be adult beverages served and live entertainment outside under the tent. The food will be served in the library and seating will be available in the ballroom or outside under the tent. Last year, many attendees took advantage of the outdoor festivities but neglected to feed themselves.
As part of our continued “branding” efforts, we will have several giveaways which will make their debut at Family Fun and Ministry Day. This year we will be giving away license plate frames complete with our trademark eagle logo. This will be a great option for those of you who did not want to place a magnet on your vehicle. We will also be giving away polypropylene shopping bags with our logo prominently displayed on both sides. These are very similar to what you most likely now use when shopping at Publix in an effort to save the environment from the millions of throw away plastic bags. Finally, we will be giving away wrist bands with our logo and parish mission statement engraved. All of these items will be distributed under the “big top” outside near the Claussen Center. They will be distributed on a first come, first served basis.
Tickets for the St. Patrick’s Day Party which will be held on Sunday, March 16 at 6:00 p.m. are now available on our website and in the parish office. This event is modestly priced at $25.00 which includes a traditional meal of corned beef and cabbage as well as an open bar. Entertainment will be provided by Jim Dalia, the same DJ as last year who received rave reviews. We will also have guest appearances by the Harp & Thistle Band as well as our very own Irish Dance Troupe – Tir-Na-Nog. Both of these groups are crowd favorites. Based on the attendance from last year and the affordable pricing, I would imagine that this event will sell out
In His work together,
Scott Schlossberg, MBA
General Manager