November 28, 2021

Dear Parishioners,

Saint Paul of the Cross is a great parish and we are blessed with so much: great parishioners and staff, great buildings, great ministries, a great school, and a great devotion to our Lord. I am humbled and privileged to be your pastor. As many of you know, I took up this position this past July 1, 2021.

In our November 28th bulletin, you will find the Annual Report, which covers the period from July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021. You can see our collections, school and catechesis enrollment, and social service outreach are all very strong. We have also completed several capital projects, which you can read about.

Before continuing any further, I want to give special recognition to Fr. Britto Berchmans, who, of course, was pastor during this period. Father Britto retired on June 30th, after twelve years of service as your pastor. Thank you, Father Britto, for your wonderful leadership, dedication, and witness to Christ. You will always be in our hearts and in our prayers. And congratulations on your 40th anniversary to the priesthood this December.

I also want to recognize the many volunteers who have kept Saint Paul of the Cross strong, especially during the pandemic. They and the parish staff stepped up in a big way and they all continue to work hard so that we may continue to pray and worship God and build community.

Finally, thank you all, parishioners of Saint Paul, who have maintained your support and commitment to our fine parish. The numbers of people receiving the sacraments, especially the Eucharist each week, are increasing, and our school enrollment this year, at over 700 students, is as high as it has ever been. Our outreach to the poor would make our Lord very happy.

Allow me thus to invoke Saint Paul, words from the second reading at Mass this weekend: "we earnestly ask and exhort you in the Lord Jesus that, as you received from us how you should conduct yourselves to please God and as you are conducting yourselves you do so even more" (1 Thessalonians 3:12-13).

Yes, please do so even more. Please continue to support our parish and please turn even more to Jesus. And thank you for receiving me as your pastor. 

Yours in Christ,