St. Michael Catholic Church Newsletter — Nov-Dec-Jan 2020-21

NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 - JANUARY 2021

St. Michael Welcomes Contents: 3

Jenny Rohde as Our New Youth Formation Coordinator

“What’s in It For Us?” May Surprise You

4

Questions & Answers About Our Annual Stewardship Renewal

6

Stewardship Annual Report

7

Deacon Tom Doran Reflects on Discerning and Answering His Vocational Call

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St. Michael Recibe a Nuestra Nueva Coordinadora de Formación Juvenil

Jenny Rohde

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ver since she was esde muy joven, young, Jenny Rohde Jenny Rohde ha has been passionate sentido una pasión por about helping young ayudar a los jóvenes a people encounter encontrar a Cristo.

Christ.

“De mis primeros “For as long as I can recuerdos, me fascina remember, I have loved trabajar con los working with young jóvenes,” dice. “Me people,” she says. “I encanta su curiosidad, love their curiosity, la profundidad de sus and how deeply they pensamientos. Aprecio think. I appreciate their sus absurdos y su silliness and their sense sentido del humor. Me of humor, and I feel siento rejuvenecida y very rejuvenated and inspirada trabajando inspired when I work con ellos. En el curso with them. Over time, del tiempo me da gran it brought me so much alegría trabajar con joy to work with them ellos, verles madurar and see them mature y crecer en sus vidas and grow in their espirituales.”

Ever since she was young, spiritual lives.”

Por ocho años Jenny Rohde has been passionate For eight years antes de llegar a about helping young people prior to coming to our nuestra parroquia, encounter Christ. parish, she worked with trabajó con los jóvenes the young people of St. Francis of Assisi en San Francisco de Asís en Frisco, Parish in Frisco, Texas.

Texas.

“I oversaw the entire middle “Supervisaba el programa de school program and all of the escuela intermedia y la preparación sacramental preparation,” Jenny says. sacramental,” dice Jenny. “También continued on page 2

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St. Michael Welcomes Jenny Rohde as Our New Youth Formation Coordinator

St. Michael Recibe a Nuestra Nueva Coordinadora de Formación Juvenil Jenny Rohde

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“I also coordinated two different youth leadership programs, organized retreats, and arranged for my middle school students to run the Stations of the Cross each year on Palm Sunday. Over the years I was with them, it was wonderful to see them grow into the people they are called to be. I also enjoyed encouraging the young people and their families to be more involved in the parish. It was really beautiful to be part of this journey with all of them.”

Now, as our new Youth Formation Coordinator, Jenny looks forward to making use of her God-given talents to help our parish youth come to know Christ in an intimate way. She will be overseeing middle school and high school sacramental preparation, particularly Confirmation preparation. She will also coordinate the Youth Group, which is part of the catechesis program for middle and high school students, including large group nights, Youth Households and Discipleship Small Groups. Most youth formation related activities and catechesis have been virtual or livestreamed in recent months.

“First and foremost, I am really excited to meet the parish families and volunteers,” she says. “I want to figure out what some of the needs of the families are, and how we can grow in faith together.

I have also been assessing what it will take to help the teens deepen their faith. I want to see what community aspects they need, and how we can help facilitate their development as Catholics.”

Above all, Jenny hopes to assist our parish families in making lifelong disciples of our young; to form our young people into Catholics who are zealous to bring the God’s love, mercy, and truth to all they meet. With her help, they may bring great hope to Mother Church.

“Ultimately, as we are going forward with the youth program that is in place at St. Michael, my biggest plan is to help the young people grow in their love for the Lord and become faithful disciples,” she says. “I want to help them build a strong foundation upon which they can build their Catholic faith.”

For further information on our parish youth programs, please contact Jenny Rohde at 817-510-2733 or at jrohde@smcchurch.org.

coordinaba dos programas de liderazgo juvenil, organizaba retiros y preparaba a mis estudiantes de intermedia para el Vía Crucis anual el Domingo de Ramos. Durante los años que pasé con ellos los vi crecer conforme a su llamado. Disfruté también de alentar a los jóvenes y sus familias a participar más en la parroquia. Era hermoso caminar junto a ellos.”

Ahora, como nuestra nueva Coordinadora de Formación Juvenil, Jenny espera emplear los talentos que Dios le ha dado para ayudar a los jóvenes de la parroquia a conocer a Cristo íntimamente. Supervisará la formación religiosa para estudiantes de escuela intermedia y superior, incluyendo la preparación sacramental, particularmente para la Confirmación. Además, coordinará el Grupo de Jóvenes, que forma parte de nuestro programa de catequesis para estos estudiantes, incluyendo noches en grupo grande, Hogares Juveniles y Discipulado en Grupos Pequeños. Muchas de estas actividades y catequesis han sido virtuales y transmitidas en vivo en los pasados meses.

“Ante todo, estoy realmente emocionada de conocer las familias de la parroquia y los voluntarios,” dice. “Quiero entender las necesidades de estas familias, y cómo podemos crecer en la fe juntos. Quiero descubrir que aspectos comunitarios necesitan, y cómo facilitar su crecimiento como Católicos.”

Principalmente Jenny espera ayudar a las familias de la parroquia a convertir a nuestros jóvenes en discípulos de por vida; formar a nuestros jóvenes en Católicos ávidos de traer el amor de Dios, su misericordia y verdad a quienes encuentren. Con su ayuda, ojalá sean de esperanza a la Madre Iglesia.

“En resumen, mientras avanzamos en el programa juvenil establecido en St. Michael, mi plan es ayudar a los jóvenes a crecer en amor por el Señor y tornarse en discípulos fieles,” dice ella.

“Quiero ayudarles a establecer una base sólida para su fe Católica.”

Para más información sobre los programas de formación juvenil, por favor comuníquese con Jenny Rohde al 817-510-2733 o jrohde@smcchurch.org.

A Letter From Our Pastor

“What’s in It For Us?” May Surprise You Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

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ou already know that our parish is committed to living as intentional disciples of Christ through the practice of stewardship. What you may not know is that one of our inspirations and mentors is the late Msgr. Thomas McGread of the Diocese of Wichita, Kansas.

Msgr. McGread was a humble, servant priest who believed we must recognize that everything we have is a gift from God, and that we can show gratitude for all He has given us by giving back of ourselves. What began simply with Msgr.

McGread applying his stewardship principles at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Wichita — where he served as pastor for 31 years — has become a way of life for thousands of Catholics around the nation.

Msgr. McGread understood that stewardship is a way for people to grow closer to God. It begins with a conversion of heart and translates into a lifestyle of service.

We have truly embraced stewardship as a way of life here at St. Michael, and for that, I am blessed and grateful. From the beginning, however, the question “What’s in it for us?” had to be on our minds as our efforts to educate parishioners and promote the stewardship way of life were introduced.

At first, “What’s in it for us?” seemed to center on what people were willing to do to give back to God as part of practicing their faith and living as disciples of Jesus Christ.

While this is important, there is so much more to it.

The truth is, “What’s in it for us?” is really about “What’s in it for you?”

“What’s in it for you?” perhaps is best explained as one simple principle — cultivating a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ.

When Christ calls us to discipleship, He is also calling us to be faithful stewards of our time, talent and treasure. Our gratitude for these gifts is best expressed through giving a portion of each back to God. Thus, stewardship becomes a way of life that is also the way to holiness. Our deepened relationship with Christ is what we get in return.

Our efforts as a parish to promote the spiritual benefits of active stewardship are designed to foster a deeper relationship with God for all of us. Membership in a parish family should encourage, support, and celebrate that relationship with the living God, first and foremost. Everything else flows from that.

If we are not focused on our relationship with God, then what will define our spirituality?

If we have embraced the blessings of stewardship as a practical way of being the disciples we are called to be, we will in turn know a deeper relationship with Christ.

I am truly thankful for all that is done here at St. Michael, and for the many parishioners willing to do so much.

Una Carta de Nuestro Pastor

“ Qué hay para Nosotros?”

Podría Sorprenderte Queridos hermanos y hermanas en Cristo,

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a saben que nuestra parroquia está comprometida a vivir como discípulos intencionales de Cristo practicando la corresponsabilidad. Lo que quizás desconozcan es que una inspiración y mentor es el difunto Monseñor Thomas McGread de la Diócesis de Wichita, Kansas.

Monseñor McGread era un sacerdote humilde y servidor que creia que debemos reconocer que todo lo que tenemos es un regalo de Dios, y que podemos mostrar gratitud por todo lo que El nos ha dado devolviendo de nosotros mismos. Lo que comenzó con Monseñor McGread aplicando sus conceptos en la parroquia San Francisco de Asís en Wichita — donde sirvió como párroco por 31 años — se ha convertido en una forma de vida para miles de Catolicos en todo el pais.

Msgr. McGread entendía que la corresponsabilidad es una manera de que las personas se acerquen mas a Dios. Comienza con una conversíon del corazón que se convierte en una vida de servicio.

Nosotros realmente hemos asumido la corresponsabilidad como estilo de vida en St. Michael, y esto me hace sentir feliz y bendecido. Desde los inicios, la pregunta “¿Y qué hay para nosotros?” estuvo presente en nuestras mentes en los esfuerzos por educar los feligreses y promover la corresponsabilidad como estilo de vida.

Inicialmente, “¿Y qué hay para nosotros?” parecía centrarse en lo que las personas estaban dispuestas a devolver a Dios como parte de su práctica de fe y al vivir como discípulos de Jesucristo.

Si bien esto es importante, hay mucho mas.

La verdad es que, “¿Y qué hay para nosotros?” realmente es “¿Y qué representa para ti?” “¿Y qué representa para ti?” tal vez puede explicarse en un concepto simple — cultivar una relación más profunda con Jesucristo.

Cuando Cristo nos llama al discipulado, también nos llama a administrar con fidelidad nuestro tiempo, talento y tesoro.

Nuestra gratitud por esos dones debe ser expresada dando una porción de ellos de vuelta a Dios. Entonces, la corresponsabilidad como estilo de vida es también el camino a la santidad. Nuestra relación mas profunda con Cristo es lo que obtenemos a cambio.

Nuestros esfuerzos como parroquia por promover la corresponsabilidad activa y sus beneficios espirituales fomentan una relación más profunda con Dios. Pertenecer a una familia parroquial debe alentar, apoyar, y celebrar la relación con el Dios vivo, ante todo. Todo lo demás surge de esto.

Si no nos enfocamos en la relación con Dios, ¿entonces que define nuestra espiritualidad?

Si aceptamos las bendiciones de la corresponsabilidad como forma práctica de ser los discípulos que se nos llama a ser, conoceremos una relación más profunda con Cristo.

Estoy verdaderamente agradecido de cuanto hacemos en St. Michael, y por los muchos feligreses dispuestos a hacer tanto.

In Christ,

En Cristo,

Fr. Balaji Boyalla, Pastor

Fr. Balaji Boyalla, Pastor

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Questions & Answers About Our

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Annual Stewardship Renewal

his has most certainly been a trying and unusual year, as we have navigated through uncharted waters. In the face of great uncertainty or difficulty, it is easy to become complacent. Yet, this is not what God calls us to do.

We are called to live stewardship as a way of life — in the good, bad, or uncertain times. In moments of trial, God raises up saints!

Our Stewardship Renewal reminds us that God’s gifts never stop being poured out. In turn, we never should have reason to stop thanking Him. So, let us take this Stewardship Renewal as an opportunity to strengthen our relationship with God amid our rapidly changing world.

This year we are focusing on Prayer through our theme—The Eucharist Unites Us. As you reflect on what God might be calling you to this year, consider ways to deepen your prayer life, or even begin a prayer life. It is through this time with God that our hearts are continuously transformed.

Remember that the greatest prayer we can offer God is the Mass. It is in the Eucharist that we are united as the People of God and strengthened on our stewardship journey.

Commitment Weekend is February 6-7. Do not forget to return your Commitment Card!

Issues like my age, physical limitations, and the current crisis prevent me from being active in the parish. Should I still turn in a Commitment Card?

Yes! The first section of the card — Stewardship of Time — is the most important because it allows you to make commitments to prayer. Even if you cannot join a ministry or make it to Mass on Sunday, you can still pray for our parish. Your spiritual support has tremendous value in the eyes of God. 4

One time I turned in a card, but no one ever called me when I signed up for a ministry.

If this happened in the past, please forgive us! And do not give up on filling out your Commitment Card! We have an exceptionally good plan to call every person interested in joining a new ministry. If for some reason the ministry leader does not call you within four weeks of turning in your card, let the parish office know.

What if I cannot fulfill my financial pledge?

While our pledge is not a “contract,” we should all make a goodfaith effort to fulfill it. Of course, if your financial circumstances change — if you lose your job, for instance — then the amount of money you give the Church will change, too. Likewise, if you get a raise or bonus. The biggest reason many people do not fulfill their pledge is that they attend Mass at another parish when they go on vacation, attend a wedding, etc. If you are out of town, just make up for the missed Sunday when you write your next check to the parish. Using your envelopes is a good way to see which Sundays you missed.

Even before the crisis, I did not go to Mass frequently.

Why turn in a Commitment Card?

Because every year our Stewardship Renewal is an open invitation to all to grow closer to Jesus. Once the pandemic crisis is over, make a commitment to God to come to Mass every weekend, and until then, commit to viewing the Mass online each week. Even if that is the only commitment you make, take a step forward. Jesus Himself is waiting for you!

What happens if I do not return my Commitment Card?

We will send you a reminder letter to encourage participation. Please make every effort you can to participate. Our Stewardship Renewal is a particularly important annual event in the life of our parish. You and your family are part of what makes St. Michael a great community! Most importantly, your commitments are actually promises to Christ Himself. All of us are called to give back to God a portion of what He has given us.

PREGUNTAS Y RESPUESTAS SOBRE NUESTRA

Renovacion Anual de Coresponsabilidad É ste ciertamente ha sido un año inusual y de prueba.

Hemos navegado por aguas desconocidas. Ante gran incertidumbre o dificultad, es facil volverse complaciente.

Pero, esto no es lo que Dios nos llama a hacer. Estamos llamados a la corresponsabilidad como estilo de vida – en las buenas, en las malas y ante la incertidumbre. !En los momentos de prueba, Dios levanta santos!

Nuestra Renovación de Corresponsabilidad nos recuerda que los dones de Dios no cesan. En respuesta, nunca hay motivo para no agradecerle. Entonces, tomemos como una oportunidad esta Renovación de Corresponsabilidad para fortalecer nuestra relación con Dios en medio de nuestro mundo que cambia rapidamente.

Este año nos enfocamos en la Oración como tema central – La Eucaristía Nos Une. Al reflexionar sobre lo que Dios nos pide este año, consideren cómo profundizar en su vida de oración, o comenzar una vida de oración.

Es en ese tiempo con Dios que nuestros corazones se transforman continuamente. Recuerden, que la mejor oración que Podemos ofrecer a Dios es la Misa. Es en la Eucaristía que nos unimos como Pueblo de Dios y fortalecidos en nuestro camino de corresponsabilidad.

El fin de semana de Compromisos es el 6 y 7 de febrero. ¡No olvide llenar y devolver su Tarjeta de Compromiso!

Asuntos como mi edad, limitaciones físicas, y la crisis actual me impiden estar activo en la parroquia. ¿Debo entregar una Tarjeta de Compromiso de cualquier manera? ¡Sí! La primera sección de la tarjeta – Corresponsabilidad del Tiempo – es la más importante porque nos permite hacer compromisos de oración. Aun cuando no nos podamos unir a un ministerio o venir a Misa el domingo, podemos orar por la parroquia. Su apoyo espiritual tiene gran valor a los ojos de Dios.

Una vez llené la tarjeta, pero nadie me llamó, aunque me anoté para un ministerio.

Si le sucedió en el pasado, ¡discúlpenos! ¡No se dé por vencido y llene su Tarjeta de Compromiso! Tenemos un plan para llamar a cada persona interesada en un nuevo ministerio. Si por algún motivo no le han llamado cuatro semanas después de entregar su tarjeta, avise a la oficina parroquial. ¿Qué pasa si no puedo cumplir un compromiso económico?

Aunque el compromiso no es un “contrato,” debemos esforzarnos de buena fe en cumplirlo. Por supuesto, si su situación económica cambia – por ejemplo, pierde el empleo – lo que dona a la parroquia también puede cambiar. Igualmente, si recibe un bono o aumento. Un motivo frecuente es que van a otra parroquia, salen de vacaciones o van a una boda.

Cuando se ausenta, puede ajustarlo en el próximo cheque a la parroquia. Los sobres pueden ayudarle a saber cuándo se ausentó.

Aun antes de la crisis, no asistía a Misa con frecuencia. ¿Para qué entregar una Tarjeta de Compromiso? ¡Está es su oportunidad de empezar de nuevo! ¿Por qué no comprometerse con Dios a venir a la Misa dominical cuando pase la crisis, y hasta entonces a ver la Misa en línea semanalmente? Escriba ese compromiso.

Aunque sea su único compromiso, es un paso adelante. ¡Jesús te espera! ¿Qué sucede si no entrego mi Tarjeta de Compromiso?

Le enviaremos un recordatorio alentándole a participar. Por favor, haga su mejor esfuerzo. Nuestra Renovación de Corresponsabilidad es muy importante para la vida parroquial. ¡Usted y su familia son parte importante de lo que hace a St. Michael una gran comunidad! Estamos llamados a devolver a Dios parte de lo que Él nos ha dado.

Christmas Mass Schedule:

December 24 4 p.m. | 6 p.m. | 12 a.m.

8 p.m. (Español)

December 25 10 a.m.

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Stewardship Annual Report july 1, 2019 - June 30, 2020

Funding Our Mission Statement of Activities

FY2020 FY2019

7/1/19 - 6/30/20 7/1/18 – 6/30/19

Revenue

Offertory Collection 1,894,928 1,991,744

Other Contributions 69,728 60,818

Program fees 229,282 324,097 Outreach

43,987 20,729 Investment income 22,074 19,951 Insurance Recovery 45,511 4,244 Other revenue 4,612 11,991

Total Revenue $2,310,122 $2,433,574

Expense

Formation 578,647 577,999 Pastoral/Liturgy 397,733 393,357 Administration 394,239 401,423 Maintenance 268,791 297,811 Charity* 610,021 649,266

Total Expense $2,249,431 $2,319,856

Excess of operating Revenues over Expenses $ 60,691 $ 113,718

Capital expenditures** 146,062 245,083 Capital project 76,827 171,504 Income

Net Increase/ (Decrease) $ (8,544) $ 40,139

Net assets at beginning of year $11,185,332 Net assets at end of year

$11,313,250

Statement of Financial Position

As of

Assets

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6/30/20

6/30/19

Cash and investments 1,825,730 1,618,697 Other Assets

9,840,693 9,701,612 Total Assets $11,666,423 $11,320,309

Liabilities & Net Assets

Accounts payable

92,328 113,169 Deferred revenue

6,424 14,213 Deposits Payable

2,983 5,125 Notes Payable***

251,438 2,470 Total Liabilities

353,173 134,977 Net Assets

$11,313,250 $11,185,332

Total Liabilities & Net Assets $11,666,423 $11,320,309

*Charity expenses include financial assistance for individuals and organizations, Diocesan assessment, Holy Trinity Catholic School, and the Nolan subsidy.

**Capital Expenditures include a vegetable garden tractor, formation kitchen cabinets, sound system, computers, sanctuary organ, and Stations of the Cross.

***Notes Payable 6/30/20 - Small Business Administration PPP loan.

Offertory gifts decreased by 5% from the prior year.

Total operating expenses decreased by 3% from the prior year.

Contact Us! If you have questions or comments about our Annual Stewardship Report, or want to get involved, please contact one of the people listed below:

Stewardship Council: Tracy Gomes, stewardship@smcchurch.org Finance Advisory Council: Patti Steelman, fac@smcchurch.org Parish Advisory Council: Debby Allbach, pac@smcchurch.org Business Manager: Michelle Allen, 817-510-2724, mallen@smcchurch.org

Deacon Tom Doran Reflects on

Discerning and Answering His Vocational Call

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f you walk into a Catholic Church in Texas relationship with Christ began deepening in a and find an Irish American giving the homily new way 10 years ago. with a crisp Bostonian accent, you can be “I was on a retreat and really had the sure that you are here in St. Michael Parish! opportunity to examine my relationship Indeed, our faith community is greatly with God,” he says. “He had always been blessed to be able to call Deacon Tom important in my life, but now I really felt the Doran one of our own. While we have had need for Him to be the center of my life. I an opportunity to get to know Deacon Tom began getting more involved in service and during his three-year internship in our parish, different ministries — I became a sacristan this summer we were able to “officially” and rediscovered the joy I’d had serving at welcome him as a newly ordained deacon in the altar as a child.” the diocese.

Deacon Tom soon developed a As a young child, Deacon Tom could devotion to Eucharistic Adoration, and it never have imagined that the Lord would one was in the quiet solitude of prayer before This summer, we day call him to the permanent diaconate. Yet the presence of Christ that he first heard “officially” welcomed the experiences of his formative years — as a a call to the diaconate. At the same time, Deacon Tom Doran as a people began to mention the vocation to student in his parochial grade school and an newly ordained deacon in him — his pastor asked him if he had ever altar server for his home parish in Boston — the diocese. are what first opened the door to a vocation considered becoming a deacon, and even in the Church. his two daughters, teenagers at the time, echoed the Though Deacon Tom is a lifelong Catholic, his question. continued on back cover

El Diácono Tom Doran

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Reflexiona Sobre el Discernimiento y Su Llamado a la Vocación

i entra a una iglesia Católica en Texas y encuentra un descendiente irlandés dando la homilía con acento Bostoniano, ¡probablemente está aquí en St. Michael! De hecho, nuestra comunidad parroquial esta muy bendecida de llamar al Diacono Tom Doran uno de los nuestros.

Hemos tenido la oportunidad de conocer a Tom durante su internado de tres años en nuestra parroquia y este verano le recibimos como un nuevo diácono, recién ordenado en la Diócesis.

Cuando niño, el Diácono Tom nunca imaginó que el Señor un día lo llamaría al diaconado. Pero las experiencias en sus años formativos – como estudiante en su colegio parroquial y monaguillo en su parroquia en Boston – abrieron la puerta a una vocación en la Iglesia.

Aunque el Diácono Tom es un Católico de cuna, su relación con Cristo profundizó en los pasados diez años.

“Estaba en un retiro y realmente tuve la oportunidad de examinar mi relación con Dios,” dice. “Él siempre fue importante en mi vida, pero ahora siento verdaderamente la necesidad de que Él sea el centro de mi vida. Comencé involucrándome más en el servicio y en diversos ministerios – me convertí en sacristán y redescubrí la

Deacon candidate Tom Doran participates in the Ceremony for Sacred Profession of Faith and Oath of Fidelity along with 23 other Class of 2020 deacon candidates. (NTC/Juan Guajardo) felicidad de servir en el altar, como cuando niño.”

El Diácono Tom desarrollo una devoción a la Adoración Eucarística, y fue en la tranquila soledad de la oración ante la presencia de Cristo que escuchó por primera vez el llamado al diaconado. Simultáneamente, otras personas comenzaron a mencionarle la vocación – continúa en la contraportada 7

3713 Harwood Road Bedford, TX 76021-4097 817-283-8746 www.smcchurch.org LITURGY SCHEDULE MASS TIMES Saturday: 6 p.m. Vigil (English) Sunday: 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 5 p.m. (English), 1 p.m. (Español) Monday through Friday: 8:30 a.m. (English) Thursday: 7 p.m. (Español) CONFESSION Thursday: 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Saturday: 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

ADORATION Weekly Adoration: Fridays, 9 a.m. - Noon First Friday Adoration: 9 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

24-Hour Adoration: February 5-6

Deacon Tom Doran

El Diácono Tom Doran

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“I mentioned it to my wife, Mary Ann, and she just smiled and said she saw a calling,” Deacon Tom says. “The diaconate is really a calling of the couple itself, and Mary Ann has been a wonderful support to me.”

With a background in teaching RCIA classes, Deacon Tom has enjoyed continuing this ministry here at St. Michael over the last three years. And now that he is an ordained deacon, he feels blessed to be serving our parish in many other ways as well.

“It’s just a wonderful parish, and everyone is so warm and accepting and hospitable,” he says. “It’s a truly diverse parish, and it’s beautiful that everybody comes together as one community, for one liturgy.

“It’s a blessing just being at the altar and proclaiming the Gospel, preparing people to receive the sacraments and administering the sacraments, and just being there for the people and walking with them in their faith journey,” Deacon Tom adds. “It gives me great joy to be able to share my faith, serve in different ministries of charity, and serve at the altar. It starts with the call, and the call is such joy.”

su pastor le preguntó si había considerado ser diácono, y sus dos hijas, adolescentes, repitieron la pregunta.

“Se lo mencioné a Mary Ann, mi esposa, quien se sonrió y me dijo que veía el llamado,” dice el Diácono Tom. “El diaconado es realmente un llamado a la pareja, y Mary Ann ha sido un apoyo maravilloso para mí.”

Con un historial enseñando clases de RICA, el Diácono Tom ha disfrutado su ministerio aquí en St. Michael los pasados tres años. Ahora que es un diácono ordenado, se siente bendecido de servir la parroquia en otras formas.

“Es una parroquia maravillosa, y todos son calurosos, comprensivos y hospitalarios,” dice. “La parroquia es diversa, es hermosa, y todos se unen como una comunidad, para una liturgia.

“Es una bendición estar en el altar proclamando el Evangelio, preparando las personas para recibir los sacramentos, administrando esos sacramentos y caminando con ellos en su camino en la fe,” comenta el Diácono Tom. “Me llena de alegría poder compartir mi fe, servir en diferentes ministerios de caridad, y servir en el altar.

Comienza con el llamado y ese llamado es una alegría.”