Dear Brothers/Sisters-in-Christ, 

“I thank our God for you------offering prayers for you.” (Phil. 3:1)

I make my own these prayers of St. Paul to his parishioners at Philippi.

Shortly before He died, Jesus described our relationship to Him more intimately.  He said: “I do not call you servant, I call you friend.” (Jn 15:14)  He also said: “You have not chosen me; I have chosen you.”(Jn 15:6)

In Baptism, we are chosen and called into friendship with Christ and each other in the People of God.  We have many, many blessings, privileges, gifts and responsibilities.  We are blessed, grateful and challenged.  We have a responsibility to God, to ourselves and to our church to participate in prayer, worship, “good works” and responsible financial support of God’s work.We are here for you twenty-four seven all year.  We serve all ages from Baptism, Religious education/formation and Sacraments for the young to Last Rites and funeral services at the end of life, and everything in between.  We feed the hungry in your name and comfort the sick and sorrowing.  The front of the bulletin lists our 34 ministries.  I offer my mass for you each Sunday and pray for you every day that God will bless, prosper and protect you.  I am spiritually responsible for 3500 households, more then 10,000 souls.  I have given thirty-four years of my life to you at St. Catherine’s.  I NEED YOUR REGULAR FINANCIAL SUPPORT AS WELL AS YOUR PRAYERS to keep St. Catherine Laboure parish services going. I would not ask if the need was not critical. We face laying off good people and cutting services by September.

            Good, faithful and loyal parishioners always come through for God and His church.  I invite you to consider giving your first hour’s income, or at least a substantial portion of it, to God’s work in our church each week.  That will make your work a prayer!

            There’s a Hebrew word “mitzvah” which means “sacred deeds” which carry their own rewards because they bless others as well as ourselves.  Be a blessing to your church which blesses you with prayer every day.  A king size thank you in advance.  And God cannot reward you for any good mitzvah you have not done!  Can I count on You??  More importantly, can God count on you??  He will bless you a hundred fold.

 Your Brother-in-Christ,

 Msgr. John O’Byrne, Pastor