|
Download
the PDF Version
25th
Anniversary Message
Greetings
everyone. In the beginning of my message I would like
to wish everyone a very blessed and peaceful anniversary
year. As you might know we have all kinds of events
and celebrations going on during this year to make
it a special year and to celebrate our anniversary.
We have our 25th Anniversary Committee, different
subcommittees, groups and people involved in these
celebrations. Thank you for what you and many other
people are doing to help us to prepare for this special
event.
I
know that some of you remember the beginnings of the
parish when Mass was celebrated at Metropolitan Andrei
School and then at Canadian Martyrs School. We did
not have the facilities we have now but I am sure
that it was a lot of fun to come together, get to
know each other, build up the parish community, and
eventually to build up our present church. The beginnings
of a parish are always exciting and special as usually
the community is smaller and it is easier to get to
know each other.
It
must have been special to watch not only the parish
community grow but also to watch the church grow as
it was being built. Under the leadership of Fr. George
Pfliger the parish accomplished its goal and the worship
has been moved to the present site. Looking at our
parish now I think Fr. George, Fr. John, Sr. Deanna
and hundreds of volunteers did an excellent job to
make Sts. Peter & Paul Parish a vibrant, caring
and welcoming community of faith.
Building
on what others have done we need to keep moving forward
and by reflection, prayer and action make God’s
Reign and God’s Kingdom even more visible among
us. That is why a few years ago we started our Pastoral
Council, and why we introduced the ‘Alpha for
Catholics’ program so that we would have a chance
to reflect on our faith, get to know our faith more
and also increase the bonds of community in our parish.
In the present complicated world we need to know our
faith. We need to have a special and strong relationship
with Jesus and the Church in order to be able to defend
our faith and to make a difference in our world.
Over
the last several years we undertook different projects
in our parish, some of them were connected with renovations
and improvements to our church building and the rectory.
At the moment we are working on three things. We installed
electronic candles for our chapel area to beautify
our church and also give you an opportunity to light
them in memory of your loved ones. The candles, being
electronic, are safe and hazard free. At present we
are also working on our stained glass windows, which
will be in place before the end of June. They will
make a big difference in how our church looks. The
last big project that we are working on is the heating
and air conditioning, which should be in place for
the coming summer.
As
you see, this is a very exciting and special year,
but also a very busy year. Fr. Xavier, Deacon Gerry,
Jenny, Robert, Mariush, the other staff members and
I cannot do everything. That is why we are glad to
have you, and to be able to call on you to help us
in our ministry in the parish. It is your parish.
We are all the Church, and all of us need to feel
responsible for it. We are very glad that so many
of you come forward to help us and to be more a part
of this community of faith. With your help, and with
God in our midst, we certainly feel like “celebrating
25 years and embracing the future”.
Happy
25th Anniversary Sts. Peter & Paul Parish and
God bless,
Fr.
Tad Walczyk
Pastor
|
