PARISH COMMUNITY CENTER BUILDING PROJECT

"It is in giving that you receive"

Our Parish Mission is to accept the invitation of God the Father under the guidance of the Holy Spirit to continue the mission of our Lord Jesus Christ to spread the truth of the Gospel to everyone.  Over a century of the foundation of the parish and school we have provided a safe environment for minds, bodies, and hearts to grow.  We have an opportunity to enhance our ability to continue with this noble endeavor with the construction of Community Center to add to the facilities of our parish and school campus.  Please scroll through the conceptional pictures and a complete a survey provided as your feedback is greatly appreciated.
~Fr. Michael, Pastor and the Parish Community Center Building Committee (Kevin Duyck, chair, David Duyck, Sam Meeuwsen, Diane Ramsperger, Courtney Schaefer, Dan Spiering, Bill Vandehey, Allan Vanderzanden, Joe Wren).

                            

Dear School Parents and Students, Friday, March 13 was the last time we were together as a student body, family, and community in our school building. What started off as 3 weeks from March 16 to April 1 of digital learning has extended to the end of the academic school year and now completing the school year physically apart. During this time of exercising a work of charity and mercy which is to provide safety and protection for others especially those in the high-risk group and those who have their immune system compromised, we are steadfast in maintaining the social distance guidelines that have been asked of us for the common public health good. It is a decision and choice that we make daily. But with everything in life, a choice of a “yes” to do something that is right and selfless, there are many “no’s” that close the door in other possibilities and options. And the “no’s” are seeing friends and classmates, embracing loved ones like grandparents, having the freedoms to go and do whatever we would like at any time and any hour. One of the biggest freedoms is of course, to gather in the Church and celebrate Mass together. I miss having all of you present and together as we pray the one perfect prayer of the Eucharist especially at the Friday morning School Mass. With that said, what I would like to propose is this: I am committing myself to writing a weekly letter that will be sent out every Friday with a spiritual message that I would normally share in my homily at the Friday School Mass. By no means is a substitute for our Friday morning Mass together, but at least it will provide on opportunity to share. Also, there will be times, I will be addressing specific grades such as my 8th graders who are experiencing some missed experiences as a graduating Class of 2020 and my hope is to provide them some comfort and consolation. Now, why in a letter form, one might ask. The last Friday School Mass that I had the students shared with me some of their Lenten give ups. The majority in some form or another were limiting their time in smart devices and tablets or social media. Then during the third week of Lent we asked all of them to utilize smart devices and tablets and even social media platforms to communicate with loved ones, participate in Mass, and digital learning. Very ironic? So, my initial thought is not to add to what they are already doing or what is being imposed to them as part of the “new” normal of watching another video or logging onto another zoom meeting that is from me. I still contend that less time devoted on smart devices and tablets and social media is better in the long run physically, socially, mentally, and spiritually for not only our kids but everyone. And frankly, even the idea of a video message, as convenient as that maybe still seems impersonal to me. Frankly, as I’ve learned with my Friday calls to our elderly and homebound parishioners, a 10 second video clip of me is not as personal nor as appreciated than having a live conversation. But there is another reason. Although I am belong to Generation X and I grew up with the introduction of the apple computer and the advancement in the “I” devices beginning with I-pod to I-phone to I-pad and now I-watch, I have always been old fashion in how I believe is the best approach to communicating in a world dominated by screens. As a son of a refugee family, I grew up watching my parents hand write letters and correspond with family still remaining in Vietnam. My parents took the time and the effort to choose words wisely and to include pictures of life’s events and celebrations. Then after watching the letter be sealed, head off to the Post Office where what it seems like an excessive number of stamps placed on the envelope so it can get to its proper designation. Finally, the sheer joy and excitement, usually on a day that you least expect it, to discover in the mail box a letter with postmarks looking like hieroglyphs on it from a strange place. It always felt like receiving a Christmas gift. But the difference was that it was a gift for the entire family so we could not just open it up immediately, but had to wait. Wait until the whole family was all together which during dinner time to read it. We would listen intently and then pass around an included photo or photos so that the visual would add to the words printed. These fond memories of receiving a letter from family that I had never met from Vietnam shaped me to the person that I am today insofar that social connection and communication should be something that shows effort, care and concern for the other. And there is no other form of communication besides a letter even with the technological advances today conveys the same emotions of always making someone’s day better or at least feel like receiving a Christmas gift in April! So, my hope is to create a similar experience that I fondly remember while growing up. Of course, there will be a few things different as I will utilize technology, be resourceful and send the weekly letter electronically (no need to spend money for stamps) and it will be typed and not personally handwritten (as many of past 8th grade graduates have learned in their card they get attached to their 8th grade gift, my penmanship is sometimes very challenging to decipher and would most likely make my beloved handwriting teacher, St. Eusebius, SSMO, God rest her soul, roll over in her grave.) But I do hope that upon receiving it, you read it as a family together. I may even include a picture so you can see how long my hair is getting and what I look like with a beard (kidding…I am not growing a beard!). Until next week, I hope this correspondence finds you well. Blessed Easter Season! I miss you all and you are in my prayers. Blessings, Fr. Michael 17 April 2020

St. Francis of Assisi School, in partnership with parents, is committed to providing a strong educational foundation emphasizing traditional Catholic spirituality, teachings, and values.