Pastor's Letter July 2: Gratitude on the 4th of July

Dear Parishioners,

Independence Day is a great summer holiday. I have so many great memories as a kid doing fireworks and watching fireworks. I hear some people are boycotting this holiday because of perceived wrongdoing in our nations’ past. However, the 4th of July is time of proper patriotism. Though, as Christians, our true home is in heaven, nonetheless, Patriotism, love of country, is a virtue. Patriotism comes under the 4th Commandment of honoring one’s parents. We live in a great country and many have died to defend it. Patriotism is gratitude, gratitude for the many blessings our country has given us. We are truly blessed to live in the United States. Let us also pray for our country, that she will remain “One nation under God” and true to “In God we trust.”

Thank you

 

I would like to thank all those who helped on our parish clean up day at St. Mary’s last Saturday. It was a great success and we got a let done. We had a few coordinators and everyone just got to work doing what was in their skill set. I went around picking up clippings and weeds with my wheelbarrow. The Knights provided a nice hamburger and hotdog BBQ afterwards.

We also had a great Vacation Bible School last week. We had about 20 kids and a family even came from Colville. Thanks to all the leaders and volunteers that who helped make it a great week for the kids and a special thanks to Kellie Trudeau for coordinating the program.

This coming week since it is the 4th of July, the office will be closed all week. We want to use the time to work on some special projects. There will be no daily Mass Wednesday, July 5 or Thursday, July 6. However there will be Mass on Friday, July 7. I will be gone the following week to Shaw Island, in the San Juan Islands. I was a chaplain there at Our Lady of the Rock monastery for one year. One of the nuns I know there at the monastery will be celebrating her Golden Jubilee of her vows with a special celebration. So there will be no daily Masses the week of July 10-14.