Dear Members and Friends of Our Lady of Hope Parish,
This year, Pope Francis invites us to celebrate a Jubilee Year. A Jubilee Year comes every quarter-century, and in this Jubilee, beginning December 24th, we are asked to journey as “Pilgrims of Hope”. The theme is a good one for our parish! As a parish of welcome, where many of you have found hope and blessing, the Pope’s prayers for the Jubilee Year very much align with the special areas of ministry which he has entrusted to the Society of Jesus and therefore our parish. .
All the good that has happened in this past year is made possible by God’s grace – and you. The parish IS you, and the grace of the Holy Spirit within you. It is your presence at Masses, spiritual and social events that is our life. It is your financial support that enables our life. If you are not here, or are not assisting as you are able, then we are less and can do less. Everyone is essential, welcomed and needed.
Many of you have participated in our parish Synodal process, which is simply a call to listen for the ways the Spirit is speaking in the hearts of all faithful people of the world. All the baptized, not only the ordained! Pope Francis believes this listening is at the heart of what the Church will become. It is clear that the Spirit has been speaking in the hearts and minds of members of our community.
In our listening sessions, and in other ways, you have affirmed that you experience an invitation to a personal relationship with Jesus as a friend. You are welcoming of all people, especially those who have not always been included in the past. You appreciate and share in the good work of our 27 ministries. You are living the Gospel message when you accept these invitations and serve God by serving others. Thank you!
Thank you, too, for your special gifts (apart from your regular weekly offerings) which have made a real difference and enabled us to tackle building needs that have been waiting for some time. Among other projects, your gifts of money or skills and service hours allowed us to strip and re-wax the floor in the main part of the Parish Hall and install new flooring in the classrooms there, which is so much better for Faith Formation sessions and other activities. With your help, we’ll be able to begin the major project of replacing the siding on the Hall, which is long past its expected lifespan and is deteriorated.
We again ask you to Be with Us! I invite you to consider prayerfully how you are being called this year to live the Jubilee of Hope and share God’s love through your participation at Mass, in ministries, our retreat and reflection offerings, in your regular and special financial support of this – your – parish.
Let us pray for one another and our parish family.
Fr. Paul Sullivan, SJ
Pastor
207-797-7026