Some of my fellow priests remark to me that it must be wonderful to be pastor of a small country parish, even though it is two churches. They have parishes much larger, sometime's composed of 1500 or more families. I truthfully respond that it is indeed wonderful being pastor of a smaller community, though often we have the same obstacles to overcome as do the larger churches. Every church struggles to be personal, people knowing each other and interacting with one another as a family. We hear those words so often: 'family', 'brothers and sisters. Yet, feeling oneself as part of that family can be very difficult unless steps are taken to bridge the gap between individuals and groups. In a mega-parish it is nearly impossible. In a smaller situation as ours, it is possible to at least have the opportunity of knowing a larger segment of parish life than our own immediate circle. As pastor of a smaller parish community such as ours, as time goes by I am privileged to be able to put many husbands together with wives, many parents with their children, and often grandparents with their grandchildren. As with all things worthwhile, it takes effort and a certain degree of being familiar with the face and placing a name to it or knowing a name and eventually identifying it with a face. It takes concentration and an appreciation of how important it is not to be an anonymous group who occupies a building on weekends.

Olan Mills will be taking pictures for our picture directory beginning in February 2006. Please see below for the complete schedule. For more information on volunteering, please call the Parish office.

OLAN MILLS PICTURE DATES FOR 2006

February 21 ~ February 24—St. Mary’s Hall 3:00 pm ~ 9:30 pm
February 26—St. Mary’s Hall 10:00 am ~ 5:00 pm
March 2 ~ 3—St. Mary’s Hall 3:00 pm ~ 9:30 pm
March 4—St. Mary’s Hall 10:00 am ~ 5:00 pm
March 10—St. Mary’s Hall 3:00 pm ~ 9:30 pm
March 11—St. Mary’s Hall 10:00 am ~ 5:00 pm

PICTURES ARE FOR BOTH ST. MARY AND ST. JOSEPH PARISHIONERS AT S/M HALL