FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK
Dear St. Mary’s Parishioners:
We have had a busy couple of weeks here at St. Mary’s. After several weeks of planning, on Thursday evening, June 17th, St. Mary’s hosted an application assistance program for a number of folks who applied for rental assistance through the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) that Catholic Charities of Yolo-Solano has been tasked with facilitating in Solano County. I express my gratitude especially to Lorraine McGuinness, President of our local St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) Council. Lorraine worked many hours to round up the troops, to organize and to promote the event. Thank you also to the other SVdP members and to all the 30+ volunteers who helped about 90 households and over 150 individuals to gain access to federal funds set aside for rental assistance. Thank you also to the Knights of Columbus, Council 4901 who provided parking lot oversight and hospitality. The event was a great witness to Christ’s command to give shelter to those who need shelter.
Jesus also said to feed the hungry. In this regard, St. Mary’s Food Locker continues to assist many in need of food. Like many during the pandemic, the Food Locker volunteers came up with a creative and safe way to distribute food by offering a drive-up option. One of the biggest challenges the Food Locker has had over the last year is finding enough storage for all the food and other goods that have been donated and then getting it into the hands of those who need it as quickly as possible. We give thanks to God for the dozens of volunteers who give of their time and energy to assisting the needy and to all of you who donate to the Food Locker.
Speaking of outreach, the St. Mary’s Youth Group (SMYG) went on their mission trip to Memphis, Tennessee from June 11th to 18th. Fr. Steven joined them for five days. Thanks to your generosity in supporting the various SMYG fundraisers and the other ways that you made the mission trip possible. Over the course of the week-long mission, 18 St. Mary’s youth, 6 adult chaperones, including Andreya Arevalo, Youth Minister, along with Fr. Steven gave of their muscle, energy, time, love and enthusiasm to cut grass, remove weeds and brush and to do other kinds of yard work to beautify playing fields used by local Memphis youth. All in all, 180 youth from 10 parishes participated in the Catholic Heart Work Camp. Daily Mass was offered and each evening the youth could participate in Praise and Worship and Eucharistic Adoration. I look forward to hearing more about the trip from Andreya, Fr. Steven and our youth.
Also, last weekend, 8 of our parishioners, along with three parishioners from St. Peter’s Parish in Dixon, and Martha Batres-Martin, Director of Religious Education, completed their training for Level I of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS). CGS catechists receive one hundred hours of training for each of the three levels. Level I CGS is for 3 to 6 year olds, Level II is for 6 to 9 year olds and Level III is for 9 to 12 year olds. As you know, we have had a CGS atrium (classroom) at our parish for a few years now. The completion of the training, facilitated by Patty Verduzco of Laredo, Texas, serves as an important step in our development of the CGS program at St. Mary’s.
Finally, as you know, this will be Fr. Steven’s last weekend with us before he begins his new assignment as Parochial Vicar at St. Vincent Ferrer Parish in Vallejo. I have been blessed to work with Fr. Steven over the last two years and I know you share my appreciation for his deep love for the Lord and his strong desire to bring the grace of the sacraments and to teach about Jesus and His Church to all who are willing recipients. Please keep Fr. Steven in your prayers as he makes a transition to another parish. Presently, I am away for a few weeks of continuing education and formation and some vacation. Be assured of my prayers while I am away and know that I look forward to seeing you all again when I return to the parish on July 14th. By then, you will have had a chance to get to know Fr. Joseph Sebastian, our new Parochial Vicar. (You will learn more about Fr. Joseph in next week’s bulletin.) I am sure that you will give Fr. Joseph a most beautiful welcome.
