I don’t know about you, but it brings me such joy to see our parish so busy these days with various activities and events that indicate just how much Immaculate Conception and St. Jude mission church mean to so many of us. It wouldn’t be so, of course, without the commitment and dedication of so many parishioners who offer their time, talent and treasure to help build God’s Kingdom right here in Elkton and North East.
In a special way, I want to take a moment to thank a few specific persons and committees who have spent countless hours planning and executing the specific celebrations and gatherings during our Fall season leading into Advent.
To our Knights of Columbus Bishop Becker Council: thank you once again for bringing us together in early October with the annual parish Oktoberfest. From setting up tables to taking care of food prep, you did so with great enthusiasm, never counting the cost. All who came that Sunday afternoon had a wonderful time, and it hammered home the reality that what we do in church also bonds us as a family outside of church, too.
To Terry Gustafson, Gail Jusiewicz, Mary Kennard and the Christmas Bazaar Committee: what a wonderful day we had Saturday, celebrating 50 years of an important holiday tradition here. For the many weeks you spent beforehand baking and organizing and carrying bags of books for the “Nook,” may I just say this: your reward in heaven will be great!
To Chris and Katie Webb: your vision for welcoming young families with children to our monthly Saturday morning socials has been a wonderful addition to our roster of activities as we continue to look toward inviting and including the future generations of Immaculate Conception parishioners.
As we prepare for the 175th celebration next month, thank you to the committee who continues to put the final touches on the dinner and liturgy events scheduled for December 7. Specific information is forthcoming with regards to registering for the 175th Gala at the Newark Country Club following the brick memorial dedication and Mass celebrated by Bishop Koenig.
Lastly – at least for the moment – thanks to all who prayed and responded to the Vocations Awareness Week request to nominate young people in our parish who you believe may have a calling to the priesthood or religious life. The yellow cards continue to come in, and we are following up with those whom you had the courage to see and invite. The seeds we plant today will no doubt bear fruit in the future for our diocese.
German philosopher Master Eckhart (1260-1328) once wrote: “If the only prayer you ever say in your life is thank you, it will be enough.” I couldn’t have said it any better. To all of you who do so much for our parish family -- often very humbly and without fanfare – I am truly grateful.