 Fr.
Tom's Tomes July 17, 2005
I would like to thank all the parishioners for your kindness and support as I begin to settle in at St. Columban. I am still in the process of unpacking and putting things away. I am trying to get my office straightened out so I will be able to get to work. The first weekend I was here, Kim put in the bulletin a welcome as well as talked about the changes which have occurred and will be occurring over the next several weeks. It is hard to have a pastor moved as well as to have a good school principal retire all at the same time. As we face the changes in our parish staff together, we will be helped with the power of God. I ask each parishioner to pray for me for God's guidance as your pastor. I am writing this column on Wednesday morning and the first reading from Mass today was from the book of Exodus. In the story, God was calling Moses to lead his people. Moses told God he did not feel he was able to do what God asked of him. God told Moses he would be with him. I believe God does give me the ability and strength I need to be your pastor. I know without God's help and strength, I could not do it. I also know the prayers of the people of the parish are powerful and with your prayers, God will give the strength to do the best I can. St. Columban parish is in the process of looking for a principal for Bishop Hogan School. I would ask you to pray God will send a well-qualified candidate for this position. Until the time in which a principal is hired, I will be the interim principal. Throughout my 23 years of ordination, I have been involved with Catholic schools. I know the Diocesan School Office will also assist me during this time. The school secretary position is open, and we have many applications for the job. During the next two weeks, a decision will be made as to who to hire. The school secretary job will be a ten-month contract just like the teachers work. Also, I have found out that Jerry, who is a custodian for the parish, will be taking a new job. We are and will be in the process of looking for a custodian. Since school is not in session, we do have a couple of weeks to look for a replacement for the custodial position. If you are interested in applying for the position, please call Kim at the parish office for a job application. Each parish I have been assigned to, I have found there is a personality to the parish. The longer I am here, the more comfortable I am becoming with the parish. It is good to be able to talk with parishioners and to listen to your experience of parish. My hope is to continue to be able to serve the needs of the people of St. Columban and to strengthen parish life. Good things are happening at St. Columban, and I hope good things will continue to happen. The important part6 of who we are is our faith in God and the way we express out faith. I invite each parishioners to continue to come to Mass weekly, and I would invite each one of you to come once during trh3 week to mass. My experience of celebrating Mss is that it is the most important event of may day. To receive the Body and Blood of Christ gives me the strenghth I need to do the best I can that day. Come join with me in praying together at Mass not only on the weekend, but also during the week. God Bless you, Fr. Tom.
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