September 30, 2007
Dear friends in life and in ministry . . .
On Wednesday, Pat and I made our annual trip to the Maine Coast where Pat's sister and brother in law Bobbie and Don Massa rent a condominium for the month of September on Old Orchard Beach. It has been simply gorgeous here. I even ventured into the very chilly ocean on a few occasions. But mainly (Maine-ly) the visit has been spent reading and relaxing in the sun. Very nice.
Pat and I attended Mass in Old Orchard Beach on Saturday evening. We've noticed that two of the three area Catholic church buildings are either for sale or already sold. The bulletin indicates that clustering is in process here as well.
This week, the Diocese is beginning its annual Catholic Ministries Appeal.
My column this week and much of my bulletin centers on this annual fund drive.
Have a blessed week. Serve one another well!
Deacon Ray
The Basics of Islam
The Five Pillars of Islam are: Profession of Faith, Prayer, Almsgiving,
Ramadan and Pilgrimage. This week - Almsgiving - the third pillar.
Almsgiving. The third pillar of Islam involves a serious redistribution of
wealth. Since all is given by God, then nothing of what I own is mine,
unless it is shared according to God's will. Muslims traditionally give 2.5
percent of their wealth to the poor, although this tithing sometimes has
taken the form of a tax if the government is Muslim. Nevertheless, the
intent remains the same: to give to the poor and to be a just and
peace-filled society.
The pillar of almsgiving is not only because a just society requires equity
but also because earthly prosperity is a proof of God's blessing. This is
a strongly rooted belief of both Judaism and Islam. Muslims also believe
that these riches will also bless them when they reach heaven for God wants
his people to prosper and to live in abundance.
This is the fifth in our series of articles on Islam.
Next Week - Ramadan - The Fourth Pillar of Islam
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PLEASE SUPPORT THE CATHOLIC MINISTRIES APPEAL
If you are a registered member of St. Mary's, within the past week you've received a letter, brochure and pledge card from Bishop Clark asking for your support of this year's Catholic Ministries Appeal (CMA). As in the past, you've been asked to join together in the spirit of stewardship by making a financial commitment to the Church of Rochester. Your gifts to the CMA provide essential operating support for diocesan programs that provide direct services to both this parish and thousands of people throughout the twelve counties of our Diocese.
A successful Catholic Ministries Appeal is vital to the continued health of both our parish and our Diocesan Church. As our parish and Diocese are one, comprising the Body of Christ, neither can exist without the other and both need your support. We can and do make a difference.
Again this year, I ask that every parish family join our family in donating to the Catholic Ministries Appeal. Let me assure you that our parish and its programs benefit from each gift to this annual appeal. The theme of this year's CMA, “Building the Faith” is right on target - for our support ensures that our religious education and youth ministry programs remain vital sources of learning and support for the young people who will one day lead our Church. The CMA also ensures that the profound needs of the sick, the troubled and elderly are continuously met by the various offices of Catholic Charities. It ensures continuous and essential training for all those who are called to ministry within our Diocese including our priests and deacons in formation. In short, it ensures that our church remains a vital, faith driven community.
On the cover of today's bulletin, I've provided some history of the CMA and answered some frequently asked questions. Last year, our parish raised $20,995 toward our goal of $26,971. Parish funds were used to make up the difference between our assessment and the total gifts received. This year, due to a new diocesan assessment formula that takes in to account the economic conditions present in the Southern Tier, our assessment has been reduced to $24,687. Still, we need on average, a gift of at least $100 per household to meet our parish assessment.
Please be as generous as you can in your response. Every gift is needed and important! If it is easier, you can make your gift on-line at www.dor.org/sd - you can also pay your pledge off in six installments. Pledge forms, which can be put in the collection or mailed directly to theDiocese, as well as copies of the CMA brochure, are available at the entrances to our church.
Again, I thank you again for making our parish a vibrant faith community.
May the Lord continue to bless us and this generous parish that strives to do his will.
Have a good week. Serve one another well.
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