March 12, 2006

The parishioners of St. Paul Parish have experienced a series of unsettling events over the past few years.  These events have caused many to wonder what the future of there parish would be.  Some parishioners have jumped to the conclusion that the parish would soon close and so, they moved on, not bothering to wait for the “obvious” outcome.  Others became discouraged with the series of events and felt abandoned while still others grew angry and stopped coming to church.  No one can blame anyone for their reactions to the events of the past 6 or 7 years.  However, time has proven to be on our side and God has indeed answered our prayers in more ways than one.

Next week we will begin a new era in our history.  It is a time when we will have to re-program ourselves to many things but, we, as a people of a hi-tech world, are used to being re-programmed.  Adjusting to new situations and new ways of acting and being has become a common occurrence in our lives.  This is not to say that we will not have to make sacrifices.  Adjustments necessitate a certain flexibility of spirit.  It assumes that people have the ability to envision a future full of Hope for themselves and their neighbors.

One very important component for a successful period of adjustment is to have a parish that is able to see the glass half full as opposed to half empty.  We all have the capability of seeing things from the positive as well as the negative.  All too often we become stuck in the quagmire of the negative and have great difficulty rising from the ashes.  The light becomes obscured and we become afraid, anxious, and perhaps angry.

Where do we, as individuals fit in to this picture?  Are we people who see the glass half empty or half full?  Those of us who see it half empty will see us as losing a Mass time.  We will see ourselves as having only a part time pastor.  We will have to readjust our schedules to benefit the larger body or parishioners.  The change in the schedule will be seen as nothing but a gross inconvenience.

If we are capable fo seeing the glass as half full we will see that we have been blessed with a priest who loves his priesthood and is willing to serve us with his entire heart and soul.  We will see that having two Masses has many advantages including a potential pooling of resources with respect to liturgical ministers.  We continue to have the privilege of celebrating the liturgy with our neighbors and friends.  We are able to maintain our family of faith.  Families with children will have the option of celebrating the Eucharist on Saturday evening thus allowing them to have a full day of activities and ending the day with Mass.  Parents with older children who hate getting up in the morning will have the option of coming to Mass in the evening.  There will still be time to enjoy the evening activities after the liturgy and the morning can be spent sleeping well without a hassle. 

The parishes of St Peter and St. Joseph are also making changes in their schedules.  Had we closed they would have been left in tact.  However, they were willing to adjust their schedules in order to help us maintain our parish.  We have indeed been blessed in many ways and will surely continue to reap the benefits of this new beginning.