To the “Flock” from the “Administrator”,
Running the gauntlet of Covid and related health challenges have taken an added toll on our community over the past few years. Please be assured that we are “up and running” and ready for your active participation as we move forward in faithfulness. As we continue to pray for Father Bill John’s ongoing recovery, I stand in place to offer you direction and encouragement. I understand how regular Flock communication went out from your pastor on Fridays. So I will continue to do the same.
First, please welcome our New Sacristan Nicholas Funk! He comes to us with a vast array of education and experience and has a great zeal for the faith. He and his wife just celebrated the birth of their second child over Christmas. I ask that you surround Nicholas with your love, prayers, and support as he takes on this most important role to preserve and continue the great legacy of our Sacred Liturgy.
Second, significant strides have been made to move forward with the church roof inspection and restoration, plus the welcome issues of dealing with the growth of Saint Catherine’s school. Please be assured that the security issues are immediately being addressed on the entire campus including, most importantly, our children in school. Along with this initiative, the long-awaited physical separation of our church and school staff, for identity, accountability, and security purposes, has begun. You will be informed as both Parish and School councils work together in the coming months to provide a more safe and functional workplace and school environment.
Thirdly, never forget how to dance for joy! A Saint Valentine’s Dance (including a few dance lessons!) will be held on Saturday, February 11, from 7-10 pm at Ela’s Venue in town, with heavy hors d'oeuvres, snacks, and refreshments. The cost is only $20 per couple. Couples must be Married or Engaged plus registered parishioners at Saint Catherine’s. Reservations are required and space is limited to the first 75 couples. For registration information please see next weekend's bulletin.
Change is never easy, especially when it comes unexpectedly. It can create fear and anxiety. But as the Psalmist tells us, “Perfect love casts out fear”. May God’s perfect love empower us to come out of the Upper Rooms of our lives, out of the Covid hiding places, to find a more active and vibrant life awaiting at our wonderful parish.
God bless you,
Fr. Martin Fitzgerald
Parish Administrator
First, please welcome our New Sacristan Nicholas Funk! He comes to us with a vast array of education and experience and has a great zeal for the faith. He and his wife just celebrated the birth of their second child over Christmas. I ask that you surround Nicholas with your love, prayers, and support as he takes on this most important role to preserve and continue the great legacy of our Sacred Liturgy.
Second, significant strides have been made to move forward with the church roof inspection and restoration, plus the welcome issues of dealing with the growth of Saint Catherine’s school. Please be assured that the security issues are immediately being addressed on the entire campus including, most importantly, our children in school. Along with this initiative, the long-awaited physical separation of our church and school staff, for identity, accountability, and security purposes, has begun. You will be informed as both Parish and School councils work together in the coming months to provide a more safe and functional workplace and school environment.
Thirdly, never forget how to dance for joy! A Saint Valentine’s Dance (including a few dance lessons!) will be held on Saturday, February 11, from 7-10 pm at Ela’s Venue in town, with heavy hors d'oeuvres, snacks, and refreshments. The cost is only $20 per couple. Couples must be Married or Engaged plus registered parishioners at Saint Catherine’s. Reservations are required and space is limited to the first 75 couples. For registration information please see next weekend's bulletin.
Change is never easy, especially when it comes unexpectedly. It can create fear and anxiety. But as the Psalmist tells us, “Perfect love casts out fear”. May God’s perfect love empower us to come out of the Upper Rooms of our lives, out of the Covid hiding places, to find a more active and vibrant life awaiting at our wonderful parish.
God bless you,
Fr. Martin Fitzgerald
Parish Administrator
Announcements
* Please continue to pray for our pastor, Father Bill John, and his family.
* In observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday the parish office and school are closed on Monday, January 16, 2023. We will be back in office on Tuesday, January, 17, 2023.
* Although Roe v. Wade had been overturned last June by the US Supreme Court, babies’ lives in the womb are still at risk. Each State is passing laws to either restrict more abortions or allow more abortions. North Carolina, even after the recent election, is still limited by a Pro-life Congress and a Pro-abortion Governor to what we can do to save lives. North Carolina is becoming a destination state for women from surrounding states to have abortions performed. We need prayer and action! The United States Council of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) annual Novena for Life takes place from January 19 through January 27th, 2023. It’s easy for you, as an individual parishioner, to sign up online and participate by praying the provided prayers at home (or wherever you receive emails/texts) each day for nine days. These prayers are sent to you as an email and/or mobile text each day to remind you and encourage you to participate. To sign up, simply follow the link https://www.respectlife.org/9-days-signup. Nothing else is needed. God bless you for your support for Life!
* The first parish Knights of Columbus Free Throw Challenge will be held this Sunday, January 15, 2023 3pm in the Parish Gym. For more information please contact the event coordinator Mike Chiarelli by email at nymikecc@protonmail.com.
* This week's Chalice families praying for vocations:
5:00 PM - Ginger Jolly
8 AM - We need a volunteer family this week
10:30 AM - Luz Paloma
5:30 PM - We need a volunteer family this week
St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Parish and School
520 West Holding Avenue • Wake Forest • North Carolina 27587
919-570-0070 (Parish) • 919-556-7613 (School)
919-570-0070 (Parish) • 919-556-7613 (School)