Appreciation and Thanks

Dear Friends in Christ,

As we approach the end of 2007, I would like to show my appreciation to various groups in the parish who work very hard to make St. John the Baptist Church the great worshiping community that it is. First, I must thank the priests who collaborate with me:

Fr. Norbert, Fr. Philip, Fr. Pascal, and Fr. Luke.

They are brother priests, confreres, and a great support in ministry. May the Lord reward them for their service. Next I would like to recognize a group of lay persons who are members of the Liturgy Committee:

• Bob Grant - Music
• Edgar Rojo - Extraordinary Ministers
• Jay Smith - Ushers
• Arnis Dela Cusack- Youth and Confirmation
• Zomy Herman - Environment
• Maryann Ngo - Vietnamese Community/ Environment
• Santiago Loera - Spanish Community/Music
• Dean Dobkins - Lectors
  

These persons help in planning parish liturgies, especially those that involve larger celebrations in 3 languages. They have helped plan our Thanksgiving Day Mass, Easter Vigil, and Corpus Christi Mass and Procession. I am grateful to them for the time and talent they have shared for the benefit of our community. With 25 Masses celebrated here weekly, there is much to keep them busy.

Do you have a talent or interest to share? Is it music? We have a wonderful parish choir. Is it teaching? We have an excellent Religious Education program with fine young students eager to learn. Even if you don’t teach, you could be a classroom aide. Those who are active in the parish make friends and find fulfillment. We also have an altar society to care for our altar and linens. Those interested in the Bible should attend our Wednesday Bible study, which could lead to a ministry as lector. There are many other groups and ministries in our parish that offer opportunities for service and personal enrichment. Finally, there is our Perpetual Adoration. This is a blessing waiting to happen to you! Those of you who have already signed up to spend an hour with the Lord know how He has blessed you. I invite others to join us.

Have a blessed week.

Fr. Hildebrand