Category: From our Pastor:

“Community-building.” This is the goal of our parish activities, whether we are celebrating Sacraments, doing faith formation, or doing fund-raising. Our parish motto: “Open Doors, Open Hearts” is an expression of that goal. We welcome not just people who come through our doors, we actively open our doors of hospitality to people who have been…

Week #3 – Same question: “If our church closed tomorrow, how much time would pass before the community noticed?” Many people would know right away if we were to close. Two weeks ago I wrote about the outreach ministries of our parish. Last week I wrote about the people who come to our parish seeking…

Week #2 – Same question: “If our church closed tomorrow, how much time would pass before the community noticed?” Last week I wrote about the many outreach ministries of our parish. If our parish closed and we stopped those ministries, many people in need of material assistance would know very quickly. But, what about members…

“If your church closed tomorrow, how much time would pass before the local community noticed?” This question is often proposed to church leaders in order to generate a review of the church’s impact on that local community. It is my conclusion that people would notice very quickly if St. Willebrord Parish closed our doors. First…

This is the period in which we plan our parish finances for the next year. We call this process “budgeting.” Of course, for us to budget and plan, we need every family to budget and plan. We need you to think about your expected income and expenses for the coming year (July 1, 2016 –…

Spring is here! At least that is what the calendar tells us. The snowstorm of a couple of weeks ago made spring seem like winter. But, the snow is gone. Flowers are beginning to push through the ground. Birds have returned from their winter homes in the south and they are singing their happy songs…

“I believe!” Those were the last words before we plunged 22 children and adults into the living waters of our Baptismal Font at the Easter Vigil. Receiving the Sacraments of Initiation was the culmination of much prayer, study, discussion, and discovery. What a blessing to have these new Catholics in our parish. Thank you for…

In these weeks of Easter you will hear and read scripture texts that emphasize Jesus post-resurrection ministry of forgiveness. You will not always hear or see the word “forgiveness” but you will hear Jesus saying “peace be with you,” to his disciples. In those words he is saying, “I forgive you, even though you abandoned…

Happy Easter! Jesus Christ is Risen! Alleluia! He is Risen, indeed! Alleluia! I see the images of Holy Saturday and the Easter Vigil. The new fire entered the church with great drama and effect. The sounds of “chaos” came from the piano. The Easter candle was blessed and lit. The church glowed with the hundreds…

Palm Sunday has already arrived, or finally arrived, depending on your point of view. Nonetheless, this is the beginning of Holy Week. Each day this week in our parish, or nearby, there is a special event – Seder Meal, Chrism Mass at the Cathedral, Reconciliation Service with confessions, Mass of Lord’s Supper, reading of the…