Invitation to SPECIAL PARISH FORUM: Sunday, May 2

Dear colleague stewards of God's abundant graces:
Greetings in the name of the Risen Lord.

I write to officially invite you to our next PARISH FORUM, scheduled for Sunday, May 2, 2010 immediately following Mass. This meeting is a follow-up on our Annual Parish Meeting held in January. We will hear, discuss and take action on the report from the Special Focus Group appointed by the Vicar, to work out a blue print on what impact our current financial situation will have on the mission, vision and ministries of this parish in the coming years.

Agenda:

1. The current state of our affairs [finances; loss of support by the diocese/repayment of rectory rehabilitation loan].
2. How/which ways we need to grow: finances and ministries.
3. Going forward in the “process of becoming Christ” and a community of faith in hope.

Our current financial situation looks dire but our faith is unshaken and very strong; we may be a small congregation but the potential for working for God and sharing his abundance with all creation is great. We need to hear your voice in how to “re-tool” our parish so we can continue to exercise ministry and be God’s healing and reconciling presence in this community.

Your parish needs your voice to be heard and your presence in order to benefit from our shared wisdom and personal commitment to the cause of Christ and his gospel.

In the meantime, I urge you to pray for this parish, its leadership, people and its ministries.

See you at Mass and the PARISH FORUM on Sunday, May 2.

Colleague steward of God’s abundant graces:

Fr. Vincent Shamo
Vicar
http://www.stmarypalms.org/