From the Pastor

May 2012

Greetings in Christ,  

Every year around this time, I look forward to see will be ordained to the Priesthood for our Archdiocese.  It usually happens on the Second Saturday of June.  This year, we are blessed to have one named Jose Alvarez.  He will be ordained at St. James Cathedral.  Next year, however, we will not have anyone.  But the following year, we will be blessed with a steady stream of new priests.  We are blessed to have a good number of Seminarians who are studying to be ordained to serve our Archdiocese.  Please continue to pray for more vocations to the Priesthood, and support them through the Annual Catholic Appeal. 

It is around the time of transitions for Priests.  I’m privileged to stay put for the time being.  However, some are in transition to new parishes.  Some will be Senior Priests.  And others are moving on to a different ministry.  Please keep them all in your prayers. 

Speaking of transitions, we are blessed to have a Seminarian intern for the summer.  He will begin his assignment on June 1, and stay till the end of August.  His name is Grant Boggs.  He just graduated from Mt. Angel Seminary in Oregon, and is planning to apply for Catholic University in Washington DC.  I hope that he will have a good experience here at St. Mary.  I hope that you all will make him feel welcomed just as you did for me. 

If you notice that the outer and back lawn is always neatly mowed, its due to Mike Felt, and Paul Donohue.  Thanks to Tom Johnson for always changing our lightbulbs.  We really appreciate their hard work and efforts.  Thanks to our volunteers for always keeping St. Mary looking up to par.

Speaking of volunteers, we need help with upcoming St. Merryfest.  St. Merryfest is actually the only occasion that allows Anacortes to have the rides in town because our lawn is capable enough to accommodate the rides.  The St. Merryfest is a time when we reach out to the larger community of Anacortes, and help to kickstart the summer for many of our children.  Thanks to all who have purchased tickets to donate to our children.  If you have not signed up to volunteer, and would like to, please contact Jim Toland at 293-9514 or Gabby Freier at 293-9669.  We need much help as possible. 

May we continue to operate under God’s grace, and allow the Lord to actively work within our community.  God bless.