My beloved parishioners and friends from St. Joseph and St. Mary...
“Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, because his mercy endures forever”
When I started my pastoral ministry here in this beautiful Lewis County area, one of my concerns was the acceptance because of our Latino background, but those concerns have been dispelled - disappeared - for their great kindness and love you have shown to us, your generosity has been immeasurable and uncountable. This has been a welcoming community and I am very happy to be with you.
Today I want to appeal to your generosity and kindness supporting our Annual Catholic Appeal, I am aware of the challenges that we have had during this time of pandemic, regarding unemployment and lack of work, and layoffs during this difficult time, all this epidemic has wanted to end our dreams and hopes, but this has not been possible because your strength and your faith have been unbreakable.
History has taught us and made us understand that, in the most difficult moments in the history of the humankind, a new humanity and community has emerged aware of its commitment to the community through generosity and charity.
With your help we will make our community of faith stronger, our parish ministries more effective and our fraternal ties more unbreakable; and know that not a penny of your contribution goes to funds the clerical sexual abuse claims, I assure you of that.
With my heart full of shame, but with all the confidence in you, I want to call on your generosity and kindness today so that through your prayer and meditation you may consider to make a commitment to the Annual Catholic Appeal, which would benefit all of the Community of St. Joseph and St. Mary’s and exceeding the goal of $ 49,194 for St. Joseph and $ 20,915 for St. Mary we will be able to carry out other projects such as repairing the windows in the church in St. Joseph, painting inside of the sanctuary; painting St. Mary’s church and big hall and many more things to do and repairs to make our place of worship a beautiful meeting place with God.
May the good Lord in his infinite goodness multiply your blessings and pour out his mercy on each of you and your families.
God bless you.
Fr. Milhton Scarpetta.
Pastor.