Dear Liturgical Minister,

Of all the areas of Church life in the Catholic faith, ministry at the Altar is one of the most important. We are not just volunteers "helping Father", but we are Disciples fulfilling our baptismal vocations.

Every once and awhile in the Gospels we read that Jesus took His Disciples aside for some time for prayer and reflection. It is in this spirit that we have invited ALL Liturgical Ministers (Presiders,Deacons, Eucharistic Ministers, Proclaimers, Altar Servers, Ushers, Greeters, Music Ministers, Environment Ministers, Sacristans) To "come away" for a few hours on Saturday, August 25 at the Jesuit Retreat House to pray and reflect on our call to Discipleship and Ministry. Mr. Rick Krivanka, the Director of the Retreat House will offer us some thoughts on discipleship; there will be time for quiet and walking through the peaceful grounds; a provided lunch; and a concluding recommitment ceremony. We will begin at 10 am and conclude at exactly 3 pm in time for those who wish to return to St. Matthias for the 4:00 Liturgy.

If you have not already done so, I ask that you register for this day by emailing Ann Clark at amclark1a@yahoo.com by the end of this week (i.e. Sunday the 12th). So far 35 of the 100+ ministers have responded. I strongly encourage you to seriously consider this opportunity to be refreshed and renewed.

In God's Merciful Love,
Fr. Ray