Dear Religious Ed Parents,

I hope this note finds you and your families safe and well.   

I am a fellow parishioner at St. Andrew with four children currently participating in religious education.   I serve on the St. Andrew Stewardship Committee and Finance Committee.  St. Andrew is a special place for our family as it is home to many of our faith milestones and is a caring community with resources to help bring peace, healing and hope.  We continue to find ways better connect our parish community.  We appreciate your family’s continued support and participation in our Religious Education program.   Your thoughts and input are always welcome.

This is undoubtedly a unique time for everyone.  The circumstances of our world are so far reaching and affecting all of us in a myriad of ways, some harder than others.  As a parish, weekly offertory is down.  The purpose of this e:mail is to kindly ask that you consider making a financial contribution to the parish through online giving - Give Central http://www.standrew.org/give/.  If you are already enrolled, and if able, consider an increase in your weekly or monthly giving to help us bridge the gap until we can resume a more stable collection.  

It is said often but remains true, any amount is greatly appreciated.    

I have connected with more parishioners during this time.  Typically on Sundays, we often pass each other after Mass or at pick up with a smile and a greeting and off we go to brunch, a practice or another scheduled event.  During this pandemic, I have connected with many of you, learned about your lives, your connection to our historically rich St. Andrew parish.  Taking the opportunity to pause and learn more about the people with whom I share a rich and deep spirituality has made an indelible mark during a time of crisis.  Thank you.  Know you are never alone and as we all walk this path together, we are stronger because of each other.  These are no doubt difficult times, but even in darkness, the hope of our parish community at St. Andrew still shines through. 

If you can, reach out to a fellow parishioner, please do so. 

God Bless,

George Ghattas