A LETTER FROM OUR PASTOR
EVEN IN THE FACE OF CRISIS, STEWARDSHIP NEVER TAKES A BREAK Dear Parishioners,
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lthough our county and much of the country have shut down and slowed down due to COVID-19, a life of stewardship never takes a break! In fact, the current crisis has given each of us many more opportunities to put our time, talent, and treasure at the Lord’s feet. So many of you have reached out to neighbors, increased your life of prayer, and continued to be generous with your treasure both to the parish and to the larger community. This newsletter highlights several beautiful ministries of the parish that give life and help spread our beautiful Catholic faith. The work of St. John Catholic Student Center is truly bearing fruit! Since the opening of our new church in March 2018, Fr. Kerry Wakulich and his staff have been able to focus in on the college-age students. They are at a critical time in life and our parishioners who support this ministry are truly doing God’s work. Please continue to pray for the students, staff, FOCUS missionaries, and for Fr. Kerry. Our Knights of Columbus are amazing! I tell my priest friends all the time about how active our Knights council is and they get jealous! These men are dedicated to the Lord and to making our parish a better place to be. I encourage all men of the parish to consider joining the Knights. I hope we are able to resume our much-beloved monthly pancake breakfasts very soon! Finally, the high school lunch ministry is truly wonderful. Each Friday of the school year, Ashleigh Martin and her team provide lunch for any high school student who comes. With Stillwater High
School having off-campus lunch, students are able to come to the parish, have fellowship with one another, and they are given an opportunity to pray. This is a subtle form of evangelization as these high school students get comfortable with the parish and get to know each other. Each of these ministries is vital to our success of evangelizing Payne County. I hope you’ll pray for their success and join in as you are able. See you Sunday at Mass! In Christ,
Rev. Brian O’Brien Pastor, St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church
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