Just an Update
I have mentioned this in our parish bulletin, yet, as some do no read the bulletin, whether in printed form or on the website, I am sending this out to keep our parish population informed on this new incentive we will begin in the month of March.
One of our endeavors is to eradicate our debt ASAP. This is like a ‘dark cloud’ hanging over our head that has been ‘chipped away at’ for the past several years. I would like to stop ‘chipping away at it’ and ‘bury’ the note! I know this is a big challenge, but if those who are not using Give Central are willing to accept the special packet of envelopes that will be mailed out within the next couple of weeks, and do what you can to make a monthly donation for this objective, I think we can retire this debt sooner than 2025, which is the year the note must be paid off.
My question to you is: why wait and ‘string’ this out for another three years? That being the case, the project of working to build a permanent church will be prolonged until that debt is retired. By then I will be almost 82 years old, and God knows when my mind will ‘shut down’ and begin to ‘play games’ with me!
As I have mentioned time and time again, that monthly note of $27,000.00 is being met, but how wonderful it would be if we could put that money aside for more important things-not just the construction of the Shrine, but hopefully to expand out parish staff that is presently ‘stretched’ to the limit, but are reaching and surpassing my expectations as they meet their daily office demands and ministries to our parish community.
So, I would be most appreciative if we can unite our efforts in achieving the prepare a ‘solemn burial liturgy’ for the restful end of a debt we have been paying on since the construction of our present facility and the land we own.
The envelope packet of six specially mark Debt Reduction envelopes will have your parish number so we can credit your account in our computer program that tracks all your contributions.
Thank you for reading this note, and an ‘advanced’ thank you for your participation. Each month we will report these donations as we summarize our monthly income and expenses.
Msgr. Pat
‘Sponsor a Chair Initiative’
Since the chairs in our worship space have been in place since our dedication in December 2007-right at 15 years- they have serviced us well. One thing that is most noticeable is how the fabric on the chairs have begun to show their ‘wear and tear’, if you will, to the point that professional cleaning services have not been able to satisfactorily clean them.
At the latest meeting of the parish Finance Committee, approval was given to sign a contract to have the seat and back cushions replaced, as well as a wider kneeler. The frames of the chairs are still in good condition and with the addition of new cushions with a better quality fabric, and a darker fabric, I might add, this should resolve the concern that many have expressed to me about their present condition.
When we began a ‘chair drive’ as the present worship space was under construction, we asked for a donation of $75.00-half the cost of the chair-and many responded to pay for a chair for each member of their family. By using the current wooden frames, and with a better fabric, the cost of each chair is $150.00.
I invite you to contribute to this initiative so that all 750 chairs can be refurbished, giving our worship space a ‘new-fresh’ look. I will ask the company to send a set of cushions and kneeler so you can see what the end product will look like.
If you so choose to be part of this initiative, please complete the following form https://form.jotform.com/221364865001045
Iniciativa para patrocinar una silla
Dado que las sillas en nuestro espacio de adoración han estado en su lugar desde nuestra dedicación en diciembre de 2007, justo ya 15 años, nos han servido bien. Una de las cosas que más se nota es cómo la tela de las sillas ha comenzado a mostrar el 'desgaste' hasta el punto de que los servicios profesionales de limpieza no han podido limpiarlas satisfactoriamente.
En la última reunión parroquial del Comité de Finanzas, se aprobó firmar un contrato para reemplazar los cojines del asiento y del respaldo, así como un reclinatorio más ancho. Los marcos de las sillas todavía están en buenas condiciones y con la adición de nuevos cojines con una tela de mejor calidad y más oscura, esto debería resolver la preocupación que muchos me han expresado sobre su estado actual.
Cuando el espacio de adoración estaba en construcción, comenzamos una 'colecta para sillas' y pedíamos una donación de $ 75.00, (la mitad del costo de las sillas); muchos respondieron pagando una silla para cada miembro de su familia. Usando los marcos de madera actuales, y con una mejor tela, el costo actual es de $150.00.
Los invito a contribuir con esta iniciativa para que las 750 sillas puedan ser renovadas, dando a nuestro espacio de culto un aspecto "nuevo y fresco". Le pediré a la empresa que envíe un juego de cojines y un reclinatorio para que pueda ver cómo se verá el producto final.
Si elige ser parte de esta iniciativa, complete el siguiente formulario y envíelo a la oficina parroquial, o visite nuestra página web para completar un formulario https://form.jotform.com/221364865001045
CATHOLIC EDUCATION PROGRAM (CEP)
OF CHILDREN AND TEENS
I want to thank all the catechists, catechist’s assistants, and parents that made the CEP year possible. A great big thank you to our parish community for their prayers and contributions to CEP.
We do need volunteers for our CEP for the following year. This is a good time to begin to pray about serving your faith community through catechesis. You do not need to be a teacher, but a good witness to God’s love for you. We do have detailed catechist manuals that will help you prepare. There is a Virtus Child Protection Program modules you must complete online.
We need volunteers in the following capacities: (catechists and assistants in class)
CEP Kinder, 2nd through 4th grade
Confirmation First Year and Second Year (you will work with a
team of catechists)
Edge: middle school (you will work with a team of catechists)
Life Teen: High School (you will work with a team of catechists)
Catechists are: young couples, Young Adults, parents, grandparents, and members of the faith community that are on fire for the Lord! If you would like to pass on the faith and the fire of the Holy Spirit, please send me email at judy.ortiz@shrineofpadrepio.com or call me at 210-497-6101.
Come and train disciples for Jesus!!
PROGRAMA DE EDUCACIÓN CATÓLICA (CEP)
PARA NIÑOS Y ADOLESCENTES
Quiero agradecer a todos los catequistas, asistentes de catequistas y padres que hicieron posible el programa catequético de este año (CEP por sus siglas en inglés). Muchas gracias a nuestra comunidad parroquial por sus oraciones y contribuciones al programa.
Necesitamos voluntarios para nuestro programa catequético del próximo año. Este es un buen momento para comenzar a orar acerca de servir a su comunidad de fe a través de la catequesis. No necesita ser un maestro, sino un buen testigo del amor de Dios. Tenemos manuales detallados para catequistas que lo ayudarán a prepararse. Hay módulos del Programa de Protección Infantil VIRTUS que se requiere completar en línea.
Necesitamos voluntarios en las siguientes capacidades: (catequistas y asistentes en clase)
Los catequistas son: parejas jóvenes, adultos jóvenes, padres, abuelos y miembros de la comunidad de fe ¡que están ardiendo por el Señor! Si desea transmitir la fe y el fuego del Espíritu Santo, envíeme un correo electrónico a Judy.ortiz@shrineofpadrepio.com o llámeme al 210-497-6101.
¡Venga y forme discípulos para Jesús!!
This is an online form to join the Knights of Columbus.
For new members click "No Degree". For council number: 13704.
To join KofC. This is a short ceremony and they must register. https://www.kofc.org/apps/resources/invitation-en.pdf
Este es un formulario en línea para unirse a Caballeros de Colón.
Para miembros nuevos, haga clic en "Sin título". Para el número de consejo: 13704.
Para unirse a KofC. Esta es una ceremonia corta y deben registrarse. https://www.kofc.org/apps/resources/invitation-en.pdf
Council #13704
Meets every first Thursday of the month from 6:45 - 8:00 pm
at the church.
*Interested in finding out about the Knights of Columbus? We are looking for a few good Catholic men to join our ranks. Please contact any current Knight to talk about joining us or visit our website www.KofC13704.org
Knights Dues 2021
“The year 2020 has been nothing short of interesting. Fortunately, 2021 is fast approaching. This also means it is time for dues for the upcoming fiscal year to become due. Therefore, starting December 15th, we will be sending out alerts to your e-mail address on file. We will NOT be mailing letters. This is in effort to save the Council money since we are currently not receiving any revenue through fundraising efforts. If you can please verify your e-mail is correct in our Council's system by logging into your www.kofc.org account. If it is correct, please let us know. If you are needing it changed, please attempt to change it. If you cannot, please send me an e-mail at gengenbacher.s@yahoo.com
We will be sending billing e-mails out monthly. You can pay by check, cash, or on-line. Please see the information below.
Please send your cash or checks to:
Steven Gengenbacher
438 Thelma Drive
San Antonio, TX 78212
(Please make checks payable to Knights of Columbus Council 13704)
-or-
You can pay for your upcoming dues on-line at:
https://spp-knights-of-
Again, please keep an eye on your e-mails mid-month starting December 2020. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me via e-mail or text (210) 883-4703.
Thank you and God bless,
Steven Gengenbacher
Financial Secretary
Council 13704 - Shrine of St. Padre Pio
San Antonio, TX”