My Dear Brothers and Sisters,
We were privileged to have our Bishop with us for two occasions in August. The first was on 21 August. Bishop Joensen presided at the 8:30 a.m. Mass at the Rite of Candidacy for our seminarian Stanley Asjes. The following Sunday the Bishop was here to preside at a solemn Mass to begin the Eucharistic renewal in the diocese. After the Mass there was a procession to the Cathedral with the Most Blessed Sacrament. It was well attended and very moving. My thanks to all who made it such a prayerful event.
The Capital Campaign for the diocese continues at a slow pace. Our goal has been set at $730,000.00. So far about $175,000.00 has been pledged. Pledges can be made over a 3-5 year period. Our hope is to reach our goal in three years. If we make this goal, we will get about $150,000.00 back for the parish. This will go towards our new heating system for the Basilica. Please seriously consider a pledge to help us make this goal. We need the help of everyone to attain our goal. A suggested guide is posted on the bulletin board in the vestibule. There is a committee in place headed by Justin Doyle to monitor our progress. Please watch the thermometer in the vestibule and parish hall to keep track of our progress for this campaign. Pledge cards and envelopes can be found at the doors of the Basilica and there will be a bulletin insert each month as well.
Now school has started, the pace will pick up again. Our new RCIA classes will begin shortly, as well as our Religious Education and Confirmation classes. We will have our annual Foundation Dinner on 11 September at the Tea Room downtown. I hope many of you will join us for what is always a very nice evening.