Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
On behalf of Fr. Anthony, Fr. Vin, our Parish Trustees David Crotta and Will Clark, our devoted staff, volunteers and the whole Saint Mary's Parish family, I want to thank all who participated in this year’s Fall Fundraiser, and for all who helped to make it such a success. Thanks to the time, talent, and treasure of so many of you, we have raised over $25,000 to contribute to ongoing and much - needed capital improvements.
In a very special way I want to thank the Fall Fundraiser Planning Committee, Bob Goossens, Michael Tortora, Marianne Esposito, Lori and Joe Myers; Erica Ahern, Phyllis Lobo, and Maura Dooley; and the Knights of Columbus, Supreme Council and San Salvador Council 1 for their generous support. As we enter the month of November, a time of remembrance, prayer, and gratitude for all those who have gone before us, marked with the sign of faith, we think of
loved ones, friends, and neighbors whom we pray for each and every day, and who pray for us. We also think of the generations of faithful Catholic men, women, children, and families who gave so much of their time, their energy, and their generous contributions to grow a faith community that is “rooted and grounded in love” (Ephesians 3:17), and build two beautiful churches where we gather each day to offer fitting praise and worship to the living God. Their prayers are united with ours as we continue to grow in faith, hope, and love, as those who bear the name and
loving presence of Jesus Christ in our city, in our communities, and in our world.
At the end of The Diary of a Country Priest, by Georges Bernanos, the main character, a young priest, reaching his final breath, whispers: “All is grace.” God’s grace, God’s loving kindness that never fails, is poured into hearts, and dwells within us wherever we go, and whatever we do. And as Saint Paul wrote to the Ephesians, “you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for your benefit;” we are reminded that like those first Christians, and the generations of those who precede us into eternal life, we are called to be stewards of God’s grace for the
benefit of those around us and those who will follow after us, especially our children, and our children’s children.
With deep and sincere gratitude, I thank you all for the manifold ways in which you have and continue to support our beloved parish, with your prayers and devotion, your time and your energy, your wisdom and your generosity. All is, indeed, grace. Grace is everywhere.
Gratefully yours in Christ,
Fr. Ryan
