Join Us as We Continue our Mission

12-08-2019Pastoral ReflectionsFr. Steve Kunkel

As we embark on Saint Thomas the Apostle's 70th anniversary in 2020, I am moved by the opportunity to serve as your pastor at such a pivotal time for our parish. I reflect on our rich history—the many lives that have been transformed by our church and school; the many hearts that have been opened to the Gospel; the community traditions and memories we share that make this place so special—and it foreshadows a promising future. For those of you that joined me in 2016 when we launched our first Building Virtues campaign, thank you for your foresight and long term commitment to the future generations of Saint Thomas.

For those of you that are new to the STA family or were reluctant to join our previous campaign efforts, I welcome you to be a part of this important endeavor and ask for your participation, not just financially but in faith as well. As we kick off the next step in our campaign and "Continue Our Mission", I encourage every family, every parishioner, every student in our community to consider how you might make this an opportunity to grow in virtue and give of yourself sacrificially. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms (Peter 4:10).

The following pages outline what we seek to build for our shared future, as a faith community at the heart of a growing diocese. Our forefathers built this parish for us on faith, not knowing what the future held. They started the race well and the baton is now passed to us to provide for the needs of the Church, in this generation and for generations to come. It is our turn to pay it forward. Where this campaign may seem daunting, I encourage you to have faith in what we can accomplish together, as Abraham did so long ago when he was called to go out to a new land and establish a new nation. Where it may seem impossible, I urge you to have hope and remember that God is with us. Where it may seem inconvenient or even hard to give, I believe you will encounter Christ when you do.

No gift is too small and likewise, to "whom much is given, much will be required" (Luke 12:48). I would like to see 100 percent participation from our community, not only financially but in prayer as well. It is transformative for our parish to come together focused on a common goal, and I pray that this campaign serves to unite us more deeply and for many years to come.

In All Things May Christ Be Glorified!

Father Steve

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