Sunday, May 30th - Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity
CHEERS! - A MESSAGE FROM THE PASTOR
Cheers!
You might call it the “Changing of the Guard”, that is, concerning Deacons Rich Green and Tom Roberts.
Deacon Rich is retiring or stepping down from active diaconate ministry. Deacon Rich was ordained a deacon for the Archdiocese of Chicago by Cardinal Joseph Bernardin — 35 years ago. His “secular job” was working for the Water Distribution Department of Chicago. Deacon Rich and his wife of 53 years, Charlene, moved to Las Vegas 18 years ago; they have three adult children, 8 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. For the past 17 years Rich served as deacon at Christ the King and Holy Spirit parishes. Here at Holy Spirit, Deacon Rich’s main ministry was Director of our Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) process. As such he has journeyed with dozens of men and women on their path to full membership in the Roman Catholic faith; he was joined, of course, by a wonderful team of volunteers whom he also led in this ministry. Additionally, Rich served on a regular basis at weekend liturgies as Deacon of the Word — proclaiming the Gospel and preaching the homily; and as Deacon of the Altar — serving at the Eucharistic table. Deacon Rich also blessed the homes of many of our parishioners. I am so grateful for his time with us at Holy Spirit. He will be missed; but he’s not going to disappear! In fact, Charlene and Rich live just a half-mile from the church. So, we will still see them at worship with us; and, he has promised to be available if I call upon him; he will be “on hand” to do house blessings. Again, thank you, Rich and Charlene, for all you have given to the Church in Chicago, Las Vegas and especially here at Holy Spirit. May you enjoy your retirement: God bless you.
Deacon Tom Roberts was ordained by Bishop Joseph Pepe in 2011. He worked with Station Casinos, in development, until Bishop Pepe asked him to direct Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada — which he has been doing for the last eight years. And what an amazing job he has done there: keeping the organization on solid financial footing and ever expanding the scope and number of services to the poor and unfortunate in Clark County. He has also served as a Deacon at St. Joseph, Husband of Mary, parish for 10 years. Deacon Tom will continue to direct Catholic Charities as his “full-time” job, but like Deacon Rich, he will serve in some of our parish ministries as well as Deacon of the Word and Altar at weekend Masses. Tom’s wife, Karen, works in the Bishop’s Office as Assistant to our Vicar General, Monsignor Gregory Gordon. They have three adult children:
Megan, Jason and Tommy (who worked as a weekend Mass coordinator for us in our early years at the Bishop Gorman High School cafeteria). Welcome, Tom and Karen. We look forward to your ministry here at Holy Spirit.
Our offices and Gift Shop will be closed Monday, May 31, in observance of Memorial Day. And, during the summer months of June, July and August, the offices will closed at 12:00 p.m. (noon) on Fridays and the Gift Shop will close at 1:00 p.m. on Fridays.
Happy Feast Day! Have a good week. God bless you.
Fr. Bill