“Getting to know you, getting to know all about you” goes the Rodgers and Hammerstein song in the King and I from 1951. St. John the Baptist Catholic Community is such an active parish with so many ministries, getting to know everyone seems like a daunting task... at least one that will take a bit of time. These first couple of weeks I am spending time with your marvelous staff to get to know them more and understand the scope of their ministries. It is very impressive. I’ll then be moving on the try to meet with the parish councils and commissions (at least with those meeting over the summer.) Then there are the 80 + committees and ministry groups. And finally, there is each of the near 1200 families. Yes, it will take a while as we emerge from Covid restrictions.
One thing I thought I would try is small, Saturday evening dinner gatherings. If you have a small parish ministry group, or have a group of three or four parish families; are all vaccinated; and would like to provide a simple meal, send me an e-mail and we could schedule something after the vigil Mass. Preferably we could meet outside at a parishioner’s home or possibly gather on the parish campus.
While the first line of that song seems challenging, the second line is much easier: Getting to like you. You have a wonderful parish community, and I am glad to be joining you.
Fr. Bill