Saints of God, the Lord be with you! Once again, I’d like to give you an overview of the “state of the parish.” I generally do this a month earlier, but the first weekend of last month was Easter, and I felt the need to give a more theological reflection. Using the understanding that a parish is first and foremost a series of relationships, a family called together by God in Christ through the working of the Holy Spirit, I can honestly say that the state of the relationship we have with one another is good. We continue to be a parish that strives for ever increasing “open arms for all,” and while I (we) sometimes don’t live up to that goal, I (we) never stop reaching for it.

The pastoral staff and the steering committee for a parish council have worked on a document for Holy Name Province. We have identified some demographics I’d like to share with you. We need to be honest and say that the parish is mostly composed of retired people, although we are finding that younger families are coming to us from outside of the geographical parish boundaries. Many older long time parishioners have either moved or passed away and we are being blessed with younger and newly retired families. These newly retired people can become a resource for us in terms of time, talent and treasure, as they begin to feel that they truly are valued and loved members of our family. Each of us has the responsibility to be ministers of hospitality at every mass and every parish function.

We continue to face the challenge of being a progressive parish as the wider church seems to be undergoing a period of retrenchment. However, it is our goal to continue to live and minister in the spirit of the Second Vatican Council as understood by the Friars of Holy Name Province.

Another area of concern is the question of how to reach out to young people, gay and lesbian people, the separated, divorced and/or remarried, the aged, sick, homebound, and those families who have children or grandchildren with special needs. We need to remember that all of these people are baptized and fully incorporated into the Body of Christ which is the church and are entitled to our solidarity, encouragement, love and support.

As a parish we need to make greater use of the internet and all the advances in technology. One goal I have this year is to start compiling e-mail addresses so that we can begin a parish census and send out e-mails when there are closings due to inclement weather. Another goal is to begin on-line giving. Other parishes have begun this to great success.

The financial situation of the parish continues to be one area of concern. Collections are more or less flat, while our operating expenses, our contribution to All Saints Regional School and the diocesan pension continues to grow. Unfortunately, and with great regret, I have had to implement seasonal summer lay-offs for some of our staff and once again have been unable to offer raises.

As to the future of St. Clare’s in Loveladies, the bishop did not give permission to sell the church and property at this time. The finance council and I still agree that St. Clare’s, which is only open 24 hours a year, needs to be sold to give us more financial flexibility, and help us pay down the debt owed to the diocese. As I write this, and having worked on the summer 2010 schedule, we are finding it ever increasingly difficult to find friars to cover four churches. As I look to the future, the friars are having our general chapter in January 2011, during which we will elect provincial leadership and assignments or reassignments will be made. I don’t think any of us will be reassigned to another ministry site, but I doubt we will get any new friar priest.

During the past year the parish celebrated 761 masses, 117 baptisms, 87 first communions, 56 confirmations, 31 marriages, and 53 funerals. As you can see, despite all that is going on in the world and the universal church, our faith life is alive and well here on Long Beach Island. I have always maintained that if we celebrate liturgy and the sacraments well, we will not only survive but flourish: and we do liturgy well.

During the year I have made my share of mistakes and have hurt some of you. For that I apologize and have learned to try to be a better listener and to seek the advice of a greater wider circle of people. We are in this relationship called church “for better or worse, for richer and poorer, in sickness and in health.” Together with faith, hope and most importantly love, let us continue to go forth into the future.

Fr. Steve, ofm
Pastor