Beloved Family:
In the context of parish life and development, “maintenance” is often considered a not-so-positive term. As one thumbnail articulates it: “Many parishes operate in a comfort-driven cycle: keeping the building and routines running, but without a clear, urgent call to evangelize and serve. This can lead to declining attendance, reduced financial stability, and a loss of mission energy.”
I am certainly onboard with the need for vision and the responsibility pastoral leaders have continually to challenge their communities—and themselves—from becoming complacent. Jesus Christ, himself, while on earth, emphasized an urgency inherent to the proclamation of the Gospel. I pray that as a community of faith, we are continually pressing forward in promoting authentic growth in relationship to the Lord, both individually and communally.
In another context, however, “maintenance” is a key component of stewardship. In other words, Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception is blessed to have a beautiful church space and an otherwise attractive and serviceable campus. That does not happen automatically. The sacrifice of past generations, to make possible what we enjoy today, merits our care and attention in the present.
Far from this being an ode on the glories of brick and mortar, this is my lead-in to recognizing the people who daily contribute to cleaning and repairing and creating an atmosphere to enhance what we hope is an environment of welcome that begins with our manner of treating one another as we come and go at the parish. So, let’s acknowledge, by name, the individuals who comprise our maintenance team.
Recently, we have welcomed Scott Sauerbrei as our head of maintenance. Scott and his family have been a part of the community for many years, and in a short time he has demonstrated excellent skills in communication and organization. Aaron Schafer and Paul Starkey, who have served us for quite some time now, continue to share their knowledge and skills across a wide range of tasks both inside our buildings and on the grounds.
There are a lot of rooms and spaces that require care. This includes daily care as well as deep cleaning, particularly in the school building over the summer months. We are blessed to have Chrissy Yund and Judy Hershberger serving us, along with Leah McKee, who wears a number of hats on the parish team. Then there is the large residence. Here, we have Ada Irias to thank for helping the priests and the cat keep tidy. Rounding this out, we will soon bid farewell to a quartet of summer workers: Tony Adams, Anthony Long, and Trei and Reis Durstine. Our heartfelt thanks go out to all of these men and women.
We also further thank those who have served the parish in the past in this department. Among these are Mark Beran, Ron Scherzinger, and Emerson Hageman (the latter an almost-mythic figure in the school for decades!). Whether retired or having moved onto new ventures, we hope all the continued best for them.
I want to invite parishioners to our parish picnic, an event we are hoping to revive after a number of years’ hiatus. It will take place on Sunday, August 23, beginning with Mass at 10:30 am, at Freedlander Park. Please note that there will be NO 10 am Mass here at church on that day. Plan to attend and please spread the invitation to others to join us. The event provides a “low-hanging fruit” opportunity to spend time together and venture out to meet new faces—or faces we know only as faces and who have a story to share!
Let His Peace be with you,
Fr. Stephen
