Do not let your hearts be troubled!

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me.” John 14:1   These words of our Savior should bring us great comfort and encouragement. Even in the face of these trying and surreal times, we refuse to be discouraged or depressed. We are a tenacious people of faith. As the bishops and government officials continue to struggle with how to get our community back to normal, we as a parish community also are eagerly preparing on our end. I have presented to the bishop a number of plans that the Finance and Pastoral Councils have suggested for us to begin again to have Mass with all of you.

There are, of course, many serious considerations that we must take into account. The health and well-being of everyone is paramount. We also desire to maintain the dignity and sacredness of our worship. Your cooperation is going to be of the utmost importance for us to get back to normal. Thank you so much for your cooperation thus far. I know that it has been challenging, but we have also experienced great blessings during this time. Being able to reach people that we wouldn’t ordinarily reach through our website, YouTube, Facebook and Flocknote has been a good thing. We hope to maintain the live streaming of our Masses as we move forward, in addition to getting back to normal. There are people who will still not be able to attend Mass in person for various reasons. This ministry to them through these various forms of media has become a great boost to their spiritual lives. It is, therefore, imperative for us to maintain our ministry to them.

The parish festival committee has also had to grapple with the  pandemic and its ramifications for our festival planning. Due to the fact that many businesses that we rely upon for support have been hard-hit by the pandemic, we have no choice but to postpone our Holy Spirit Parish Festival until next summer. This, of course, is a   tremendous blow to our socialization as a parish and our finances. The   revenue from the festival has been a tremendous and necessary assistance to St. Vitus School and now, Holy Spirit Academy financial stability. We still will find it necessary to do perhaps new and innovative forms of fund raising and socialization opportunities for our community. Raffles and meals are being considered as we move forward. We are still looking for ways to secure the financial   stability of both Holy Spirit Academy and the parish of Holy Spirit. 

My sincere appreciation to our festival committee, volunteers, and our Finance and Pastoral Councils for their devoted service and leadership to our parish. Just because things are not as normal does not mean that we are going away by any stretch of the imagination! Holy Spirit Parish is here to stay! We will come out of all of this much stronger through the grace of God and unity of our community.

To update you on a recent parish change, St. Lawrence Church and campus have been purchased by Gary Pezzuolo of Hillsville. Gary has a business near the property and has been a life-long member of the parish and Hillsville community. We are grateful to Gary for his assistance in this important matter. All religious items will be removed from the buildings before the property is given over for secular use.

I truly believe God always brings good out of every challenge. This is the truth of our Catholic Christian faith, that suffering, and even death, are not beyond God’s power to save. We believe in an eternal    redeemer who never gives up on us or our well-being. We are called to never give up on Him, either! 

God love you,