Pastor's Page: Fulfilling the Dream
March 14, 2010

Building Community - "Where two or more are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them."

It has been said that community is a terrible place. Terrible in the sense of terrifying, community
(being with other people), exposes all of our weaknesses and flaws. We are all a mixture of light and darkness, of virtue and sin.
By nature we are social beings, we cannot live without other people. Solitary confinement is the
worst possible punishment. We are made in God's image and likeness, and more than any other place in the world; we can find God in ourselves and other people. The Church is the great sacrament by which we encounter Jesus Christ.

Like the universal church, the local parish is a community of disciples. The parish is certainly not a collection of buildings, a place to attend Mass, or some sort of spiritual service station.

We are a family in Jesus Christ. At the center of our family life is our worship together, especially at Mass. The community spirit is fostered at the Eucharistic banquet table most of all.
How well we sing at mass, and how attentive and interested we are in the Scriptures, indicates
the depth of community life we share. The intimacy of the worship space in our church, unlike the vast cathedrals in other parishes where people and their priest are sometimes more than 100 feet apart, allows for a deeply felt sense of family. We feel connected to one another. We feel free to respond to humor in a homily or rejoice in the Baptism of a child with spontaneous applause and acclamation.
Hospitality after Mass, and parish festivities throughout the year also contribute greatly to community spirit, and engender joy in belonging to Christ and to one another in the church. While we do have refreshments after Mass monthly, the ‘subterranean café’ in the rectory is restricting. Other parish festivities are limited to the annual Ministry Appreciation Party, held at a nearby golf course
Clubhouse. A Parish Center will allow us to have our own place for dances and merriment.
More than ever before, we have become aware as a society of our need to protect and safeguard our children. A Parish Center will offer a place of safety where our children preparing for the sacraments, and entering the difficult years of adolescence can learn about Jesus Christ and the Church and find a true home away from home.
The future development of this parish as a faith community belongs to the people who live and worship here.
The dream of a Parish Center will happen only when parishioners take responsibility. The feasibility study conducted by Lynch Development last October, indicated an overwhelming interest in creating a place where we can gather and grow our community. Pledges, payable over five years, are being sought now in response to that interest.

Dreams come true when sacrifices are made. By the grace of God, we are ready for this challenge.

Peace and love in Christ,
Father Bruce

Transition Website Established
There has been a great deal of discussion about the voluntary separation package and the other changes occurring in the Diocese of Rockville Centre. The Diocese has set up a special transition website that has the latest information. Please visit www.drvc.org and click on the Lighthouse icon.