Dear Parishioners,
This weekend we say goodbye to Sr. Ann Byrnes, RSM who has been a part
of St. Thomas More Parish for about
15 years. Sister Ann decided to retire
this year after heading our Lifelong
Faith Formation program and our Faith
and Justice Team.
Sister Ann’s various duties
included preparing candidates in the O.C.I.A.
(Order of Christian Initiation of Adults)
program, and helping to train the altar servers, lectors, and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion.
She would assist during the weekend Masses to make sure that everyone was
present and the liturgies ran smoothly. Sister assisted me when it was time for
rehearsal during the Holy Week liturgies.
Sister was responsible for many
of the seasonal programs in our parish.
Most notable, she would promote, organize and facilitate our Small Christian Communities (S.C.C.)
during Advent and Lent. At Christmas, she organized and promoted our Lessons and Carols. She was responsible
for getting the speakers for our Sacred Scripture seminars and many of our
parish missions. She regularly informed me of those she was aware of who were
sick or dying. She helped with funeral preparations. Among the many other
tasks, I think her personal favorite was leading the Faith and Justice team.
I know that there are many, many
things that she has done behind the scenes, well before I ever arrived at this
parish. I personally and publicly thank her for the many contributions she has
made to this parish on behalf of all of us! Sister
Ann, we wish you well in your retirement. You have our prayers and best wishes for the future!
Please realize that we are looking
for a replacement for Sister to fill the future position of Coordinator
of Catechesis, Lifelong Faith Formation and Evangelization. As I had
mentioned several months ago, St. Thomas More Parish has begun the application
process to seek a committed, active Catholic to serve in this position. This
person will be responsible for oversight of all catechetical ministry to every
age group within the parish. The coordinator initiates, organizes and
facilitates various programs and services relating directly to the
evangelization and the education of parishioners in the Catholic faith. The
coordinator seeks to meet the needs of parishioners in the areas of catechesis,
youth and young adult ministry, adult faith formation, and sacramental
preparation, including adult Christian initiation. The applicant must be a practicing Catholic in good standing in the
Church with an in-depth knowledge of the Catholic faith (BA, or MA preferred).
The coordinator must have working knowledge of computers and technology. The
applicant must be willing to be involved in the spiritual life of St. Thomas
More Parish. Salary and weekly hours are negotiable. This position reports
directly to the pastor. Anyone still wishing to apply for this position should
submit a résumé to me personally, by regular mail or e-mail (fr.namiotka@gmail.com).
The appointment of this position needs to be made in the next month or so.
Finally, I take a moment to thank
everyone who has been so kind and thoughtful to me during the loss of my dear
mother. I have no idea how I could ever thank everyone enough for the Masses,
cards, flowers, donations and personal expressions of sympathy to me and my
family. On behalf of my brothers, sister and entire family, thank you from the
bottom of my heart! It means so much to all of us. Be assured of a remembrance
in my thoughts, prayers and Masses!
Fr. Ed Namiotka
Pastor
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