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Dear Friends in Christ,
“What return shall I make to the Lord for all that he has done for me?” I chose this verse from Psalm 116 to put on the holy card commemorating my ordination to the priesthood some 44 years, and pounds ago! You will not recognize the picture below of the young man on the card, I frankly don’t either! What I try to remember is the challenge of Psalm 116 to see everything in my life as a gift from God, that belongs to God. My vocation is to give it all back as a steward of God’s grace.
That’s our common vocation as Christians. We have begun our annual fall stewardship appeal, once again inviting our parish households to make a commitment by pledging a gift of our time, talent, and treasure to the Lord in thecoming calendar year 2026. The difference between stewardship and other giftsis that it is first and foremost an act of gratitude for God’s blessings, and trust in God’s continued providence in our lives. Furthermore, Christian stewardship places our gift at the forefront of our giving, and not an afterthought we get around to when we feel like it. Please consider what your monthly stewardshippledge will be like in the coming year. I never ask our community to give something that I don’t plan to do, so, before I head out on vacation on Friday October 17th, I will be renewing through Push Pay my gift of treasure for the coming year.
I am heading to Rome with my brother Todd to meet up with our brother Fr. Paul. From there we will take a cruise on the Mediterranean with stops in Italy, Greece, and finally Barcelona Spain. We then train up to Lourdes and end in Paris France for our return home Nov. 6. While I am away, Fr. Duc and Torrie Smith will be in charge of overseeing our parishes, with the able help and support of our staff and volunteers. I am looking forward to the break and will follow the Mariners from afar. A reminder, that should they make it to the “World Series” and you have an extra ticket for me, I will fly home immediately to join you! GO M’S!
My love and prayers,
Fr. William Heric, Pastor