The Basilica of Saint John

My Dear Brothers and Sisters,

We will now be entering into Ordinary Time after today’s great celebration of the Solemnity of Pentecost. Parish life is slowly getting back to normal and so we have much to be grateful to the Lord for.

We are having coffee and donuts once again after the Sunday Masses. It is a joy to be able to gather together once again for some fellowship on a social level. It has been a long and trying year, but the Lord has brought us through it rather well. There has been no major outbreak of the virus in the parish. Let us continue to use our common sense as we continue to make progress. Remember to STAY HOME IF YOU FEEL ILL IN ANY WAY. Hopefully we can continue to make progress to a more normal way of parish life. The hymnals and antiphonal books are now back in the pews.

Normal parish meetings may take place now. Please make sure that all is scheduled through the parish office. The Bishop has decreed that the mask mandate is now lifted for Mass. Those who feel more comfortable using one may still find them at the entrances of the Basilica.

My thanks to all of you for making my 40th Jubilee celebration such a wonderful event. It was a most memorable day. My thanks, too, for your many kind cards and gifts. The food at the reception was fantastic. All of the hard work for those who made it all possible is greatly appreciated: Musicians and cantors, MC’s and servers and all who worked on the reception. May God reward you all!

Bishop Joensen was here on Pentecost to confirm our young people at the 10:30 Mass. It was a joy to have him here both for Confirmation and for my Jubilee. Please remember to pray for our good Bishop with all of his heavy responsibilities, especially during these trying times. He is in a difficult position trying to juggle all the decisions he must make to keep us all safe.

Please remember to make your pledge to the 2021 ADA if you have not already done so. Envelopes are provided at the doors in a special holder. We need to make our goal. We still must raise some $64,000.00.

Just to give you a heads up on something. Our heating system has reached the point where we must seriously consider a major overhaul. The pipes are 100 years old and are leaking underground somewhere. We are exploring the possibility of updating in another way. When we have a plan, we will have to confer with the diocese and will then inform the parish with what needs to be done. We may be looking at an amount between $100,000.00 to $200,000.00 dollars to complete this renovation. It is something that we cannot put off any longer. The old boiler will continue to be used for the school building only.

If you receive an E-Mail or text from me requesting money or gift cards, please DO NOT RESPOND. I WOULD NEVER ASK YOU FOR FINANCIAL HELP IN THIS WAY. Just delete it and try to block the person. This has been happening to a lot of priests and to the Bishop.

Let us go forward, trusting Divine Providence in all things. May all the Lord’s blessings and graces be yours!

Devotedly yours in the Lord,

(The Very Reverend) Aquinas M. Nichols

Pastor