From the Desk of Fr. Mason Wiggins, Pastor
Dear Parishioners of St. Catherine of Siena,
We have returned! The pilgrimage to Italy was such a wonderful spiritual journey. We visited Milan’s great Cathedral, Florence with Michelangelo’s David, Assisi with St. Francis and St. Clare, Siena with relics of St. Catherine, San Giovanni Rotundo with Padre Pio, Monte Casino with St. Benedict and his twin sister St. Scholastica, then the highlight of our pilgrimage — Rome, the eternal city. We were able to walk through the Holy Doors of the four major basilicas: St. Peter, St. Mary Major, St. John Lateran, and St. Paul Outside the Walls. We celebrated Holy Mass in St. Mary Sopra Minerva, the burial place of St. Catherine of Siena, and visited the Pantheon, which has been St. Mary and the Martyrs Catholic Church, since AD 609. Then through some quick maneuvering by our Tour Guide and Patti Lombardo, we were able to secure seats right next to the barricade where Pope Leo would soon drive by. We were most fortunate — truly blessed — he stopped within feet of many of us to hold some babies. So we return — Holy Year Pilgrims to Rome — hopefully we have grown in our faith and now understand the great hardships that the millions who came before us endured for the opportunity to visit our holy sites and receive the papal blessing in person.
I want to again thank everyone who participated in the Parish Bazaar. I can’t thank you enough. I witnessed the very hard work that went into it. I know the time and talent it took to make it happen. Your sacrifice is greatly appreciated. I also want to thank those who came out for the Parish Work Day — although few — they were dedicated and worked very hard in the Marian Garden area. I may schedule these as quarterly events! 😀
We had a very successful Mass for the Lord of the Miracles on October 28. We want to thank Fr. Marek for coming to say the Mass in Spanish. We also want to thank the committee for making the dinner so delicious and memorable. Delicioso! We were also able to enjoy a fun Halloween party for our religious education students. There were some very clever costumes – saints to tacos! Thank you to everyone who came to enjoy and to those who planned and worked on it.
Two more items that need our attention: One is the Parish Thanksgiving Dinner to be held on Saturday, November 15 at 6:00 pm, following 5:00 pm Mass. The parish will supply the turkeys. We ask that you bring a favorite dish to share.
The other item is the Matching Fund for the months of November and December. The money raised will be used to pay down the mortgage principal. Through the parish, our ministries, and some donors we already have $50,000. We hope to match that and go way beyond. The sooner the mortgage is paid off, the sooner we can begin to make our parish even more welcoming and beautiful. Remember, if you need a great charitable write-off for the IRS, please keep St. Catherine in mind. Thank you.
Lastly, please remember that we will be closing off the far right section of pews beginning the weekend of November 15/16. I know this will be traumatic for a few folks, but it will really make Mass more efficient for the ushers and allow the priest to see everyone. We will leave the first 3 pews and the last 2 pews open for those with health or mobility issues. We will also be making a few changes to the communion line flow chart and expanding the number of ushers.
P.S. my Mother wants to thank all those who wished her well and sent her cards during her last brief illness. Her son thanks you too!
God bless you all. Fr. Mason