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Pastor Weekly Message For June 26 and 27, 2021
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June 29, 2021Jesus is Lord!
Dear: Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Because of early bulletin deadlines, I usually write my pastor’s notes on Tuesday mornings for the following weekend bulletin. So, as I write these “pastor’s notes,” last night was the first night of the return of the Saint Mary Great Fair. It was an amazing night! Thousands of people with smiling faces. The joy and excitement of the children in the “Kiddie Zone” was priceless to see. A summer night filled with rides, games, food, music, fun and fellowship. I so look forward to the rest of the week.
The Saint Mary Great Fair could not happen without the work of the fair committee and hundreds of volunteers. I want to thank all the volunteers for your love and service to Saint Mary’s, but I also want to thank you for the joy and excitement each one of your brought to the Fair. Your smiles and laughter speak volumes to your heart of service.
I especially want to thank and honor Hank Pekarsky, the chairman of the Saint Mary Great Fair. I am convinced that Hank never sleeps. Last week, we didn’t even open the Saint Mary Great Fair and he is already talking to me about the Fall Country Fair in September. He is an amazing servant to the people of Saint Mary’s. Hank shared with me that each morning he and his wife Mimi pray to the Holy Spirit on how to serve our parish. The Holy Spirit certainly is directing and blessing Hank and Mimi, and us through them!
As you know, Hank also serves as our parish business manager. He is a former school principal, vice chair of the Middle States Accreditation Committee, a state certified Business Administrator, accountant, and former Mayor of Hazlet, to name a few of his credentials. Hank works on a average of 60-70 hours a week for our parish and he does not take a salary, he is a volunteer! There are no words that can express our thanks to Hank (and Mimi!) for all their dedication and service to Saint Mary’s. May God continue to bless them abundantly!
This past week all the Bishops of the United States met and discussed a proposal for a “Eucharistic Revival” that would begin in 2022. The proposal is to address the concern that 31% of Catholics believe in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Because of our almost 25 years of Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration at Saint Mary’s, I am convinced that we are much higher than the 31%, however, I am excited for this “Eucharistic Revival.” In a real way, since we moved the Adoration over to Saint Mary Chapel, we have been experiencing a “Eucharistic Revival” at Saint Mary’s. Not only do we have almost 400 committed adorers, but since the Chapel re-opened on Ash Wednesday we have had over 2000 visitors to our Eucharistic Lord…. that is “Eucharistic Revival!” Thank you Jesus!
Have a blessed week!
In Jesus and Mary,
Father Jeff Kegley
Pastor