Second Sunday of Easter (Divine Mercy)
Pastor
~ Happy Easter! This Second Sunday of Easter is also the Octave (Eighth) Day of Easter, also known as Divine Mercy Sunday. We continue to rejoice the great love and mercy shown to the world through the Paschal Mystery. These Easter days are filled with many celebrations, including the Sacrament of Confirmation celebrated last Thursday, and First Holy Communion, coming next month. We also celebrate Brother Dominic Jean’s Ordination to the Priesthood next month, as well as weddings, graduations, and other celebrations.
And there are many comings and goings that will occur in the weeks and months to come. As you know, our school principal Patrick Holley will be leaving St. Margaret of Scotland at the end of the school year. I am grateful for all the good work that Mr. Holley has accomplished during his years here, especially the way he challenged our young people to remember that they are called to be Missionary Disciples of Jesus Christ.
I am happy to share that Dr. Angela Thomas will be joining our parish and school as our new school principal, beginning this summer. With over 20 years of experience combined in education, finance, and management, Dr. Thomas brings a diverse skill set and strategic leadership approach to fostering excellence in education. She holds a doctorate degree in education and, as a proud Catholic, is passionate about fostering a faith-filled environment focused on academic excellence, student growth, and teacher support. She has worked in both the corporate world and in education. In her free time, Angie enjoys spending time with her husband of 16 years, Dustin, and their three boys – Ollie (7th grade), Henry (5th grade), and Sammy (2nd grade) – as well as their two pups, Bucky (English Mastiff) and Teddy (Maltipoo). After their move from Oklahoma City this summer, they are excited to explore new camping spots and cheer on the local St. Louis sports teams, and they look forward to being a part of our SMOS School & Parish community. Please welcome Dr. Thomas and her family to St. Margaret of Scotland!
Fr. Patrick Baikauskas, OP, will also be leaving St. Margaret of Scotland this summer, as he has been appointed Director of Campus Ministry at the University of Chicago. For the past two years, Fr. Patrick has become a familiar face here at St. Margaret, celebrating and preaching at Mass, participating in parish events, and being of service to me, the parish staff, and many in our parish family. We will celebrate Fr. Patrick and wish him well before he leaves St. Louis this summer. Godspeed, Fr. Patrick! No, there will not be another priest assigned to St. Margaret of Scotland, though I hope that other Dominicans and other priests will be able to assist here.
Finally, I am happy to announce that Ashley Schuster will be joining our parish staff as the Coordinator of Youth Ministry, beginning this summer. You may already know Ashley as a parishioner and choir member. She is currently a para-professional and aide at our school, and in this next school year, she will be part-time at school, and part-time in the Youth Ministry position. Over the past years, Ashley has been instrumental in organizing so many facets of our Youth Ministry, including weekly bible study, monthly formation nights, retreats, and summer trips. Our teens love and appreciate her, and she has a real heart for ministry with teens. With Ashley joining our parish staff, I expect that our outreach and ministry to teens will grow and strengthen. Welcome to Ashley!
Please keep all these folks, and everyone who is in any transition, in your prayers these days.
