St. Patrick Church (Woodbury)
Dear Parishioners,
Some time ago, I mentioned in one
of my weekly letters that I would be looking at the overall situation here at Holy Angels Parish and then get back to
you with my observations. So, what has
become apparent to me in the time since I have arrived here?
First, I realize that I have had to
make some personal adjustments to my style
of ministry. I was used to being very present at church each
weekend. I would be at the back of the
church after most (if not all) of the Masses in Somers Point. It was my
opportunity to meet and greet the parishioners regularly. However, I only had a single church building
to go to and it was adjacent to the rectory.
Now I have three churches and a worship center being used regularly. Having failed in any attempts at bi-location in the past, I know I just
can’t be everywhere at once. How can I possibly
be at the 9 AM (National Park), 9:30 AM (Woodbury), 10 AM (Woodbury) and 10:30 AM
(Westville) Masses, even if it is just to say “hello” to the people. It’s a physical impossibility.
Then came my health issue (heart
attack). Perhaps, it is God’s subtle
hint (or not-so-subtle hammer to the head) telling me to slow down and re-prioritize
what I am here to do. You
are not in Kansas anymore Toto. I
can’t be present everywhere. I need to
pick and choose what a priest/pastor needs to do and allow someone else to do
the other things. Easier said than done at times!
Second, there is a need for a
continual outreach to the children and young families within the parish. From my rather high vantage point (6’6”), the
backs of too many heads are greying and it is noticeable to me that the young
are not present weekly in any healthy and vibrant numbers. Minimally, the young and their families need
to be evangelized or re-evangelized and helped to understand the importance of
being at Mass each week.
Third, the physical plant of the
parish is simply overwhelming. With about a dozen buildings and their
surrounding grounds to maintain, I am proposing the creation of a Building
and Grounds Committee to assist me.
I had such a committee in some of my former parishes comprised of
general contractors, electricians, plumbers, painters, etc. who volunteered as parishioners to evaluate and make a long-range plan of what needs
to be done with the parish facilities.
If you are interested or know someone who may be well-suited for such a
task, please contact me at the rectory.
This could conceivably remove a considerable amount of stress from my life.
Next, I propose expanding the Bereavement
Committee of the parish. Three aspects
of this ministry seem very important to me when someone dies: those who can comfort and help plan the
funeral liturgy, ministers to be present at the funeral liturgy itself to
greet, serve, read, etc. (as needed) and ongoing personal follow-up as time
passes. In my past parishes, some of the
most effective and helpful ministers have come from those who have suffered the
loss of a loved one and want to help others with their grief and loss.
The above observations and
suggestions are just the beginning. Your
input, insights and suggestions are certainly welcome!
Fr. Ed Namiotka
Pastor
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