 Fr.
Tom's Tomes October 2, 2005
This weekend marks the completion of my first three months as pastor of St. Columban. It is understood that normally a pastor waits about a year before making changes in a new assignment. I believe there are some changes I need to start making now.
First I would like to begin to change an impression which I hear often. The impression I know we need to change is whether our parish school and day care will close. The answer is no. I believe there is a great future for both the day care and school. I believe it is vital to control the cost of the school and there are ways to do so. It is my impression the community of Chillicothe at times is unsure of the future of our day care and school. In order to promote and retain students we must stop implying that our school is a year to year endeavor. Both the Bishop and I believe in Catholic education and the need to strive to have the best school we can. The school is a mission of the parish to pass on the gift of faith to children. As parents and grandparents you have been given the responsibility by God to be educators in the ways of faith. When you have a child or children God entrusts to you the sacred responsibility to do all in your power to pass on the gift of faith to your child or children.
Second change is with the finances of the parish. The financial responsibility of the parish belongs to the pastor. Here at St. Columban there is a need to increase the ordinary income of the parish as well as to control the expenses and to do my best in not spending more than the parish takes in. I do believe the income of the parish can be raised by all parishioners tithing to the support of the parish. This means every individual and family is invited, encouraged and hopefully giving 5% of your income to the parish. This is difficult but it is biblically based. From the earliest part of the Hebrew Scriptures, the Old Testament, we read of God requiring His people to return the first fruits of their labor to God. The question is do I do it? I do not need to be concerned about others. My concern is asking myself do I give 5% of my income to the parish?
In the same way I as pastor need to make difficult decisions at times which requires me to stop expenses. Some may be little expenses and others are the bigger expenses. It is not easy coming to a new parish and to say there are some things we can not afford right now. I think each family has to make decisions also as to what can be afforded and not afforded at times. I would ask for your cooperation if at times you hear I am sorry but we can not afford this at this time. It will take a while for the parish to come to a position where we are able to afford more things. I intend to do my best in making expenditures for the parish.
The third change will come about at the beginning of Advent. In Advent I am planning on beginning to have both the Body and Blood of Christ distributed at communion time. It will not be mandatory for a person to receive the Blood of Christ but it will be available for those who would like to receive both the Body and Blood of Christ. To receive the Blood of Christ will be available for those who wish to receive it.
At this time these are the changes I think we need to make here at St. Columban.
I enjoy being here at St. Columban. There are a lot of things I am responsible for since I am both the pastor and principal. I do hope to be able after the first of the year to spend more time doing pastoral work. I believe in the need for good parishes in the rural area of our Diocese.
A reminder I will be gone from October 2 through 14. I will be on vacation with my mother and a sister. We plan a driving vacation which will provide time for me to relax.
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