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Dear St. Patrick's Parishioners, This annual book is more than a list of programs and people. It is an invitation to change the world in Urbana and beyond. It is a call for young and old to renew the face of the earth. It is a call to listen to the voice of the Spirit speaking responsibility, ownership, and gratitude. It is an invitation to ministry at the local level. Whenever I begin to ponder the gifts God gives, I try to think in broad strokes. The gifts of our faith, hope, love, and joy. The gift of family, friends, and relationships with others. I think of intelligence, talents, and skills. I think of imagination, compassion, and vision. With so many gifts and blessings, we are challenged. At all times in our lives we have an opportunity, a responsibility, to share what we have been given. That is the purpose of this book - to assist EVERYONE in bringing their talents, gifts, blessings to the forefront. Everyone is needed, EVERYONE. We are blessed to be part of something that is holy, alive, and makes a difference in so many lives. We are blessed to have so many parishioners who step forward in the day-to-day ministerial needs of the parish. Yet we need more. There are so many ministries to do and so little time. We need everyone. There are still those who have not felt welcomed, have not felt called. Please let this letter be your invitation. St. Patrick's does so much, and yet there is so much more we could do. We need you! Before you turn the page, I invite you to say a prayer that you will be open to the Holy Spirit. That God will guide you in your discernment of your gifts, talents, responsibility, and blessings. It is a time to open ourselves to God's Divine Love, and "know that God loves you." Rev. Joseph T. Hogan THE PARISH STAFF |
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