Thanks to all who have given such positive feedback to our Stewardship season! My hope is that by focusing on gratitude and generosity, our community at St. Margaret of Scotland will grow in faith, prayer, care for one another, and dedication to this parish we love. I am grateful to Emilie Overberg, Tom Reitenbach, and Carrie Pagliarini who offered such wonderful reflections on Stewardship last weekend. I am grateful to all who are wearing nametags these days and meeting and greeting other parishioners. Remember that this is a time of name amnesty! There is no shame in asking someone’s name if you may have forgotten; I do it all the time! And thanks to all who have responded positively to our Increased Offertory Program by returning pledge cards with a renewed financial gift. Just about 10% of our parishioners have returned a pledge card. I know many have made their renewed pledge online, but I hope that many more parishioners will step up to financially support St. Margaret. Please return your pledge card, make your pledge online, set up electronic giving, and remember to give generously!
For these next three weekends, Ministry Fairs will be taking place in the Church Hall after each Mass. Please take some time after Mass to come downstairs to learn about our parish ministries, organizations, and groups and consider being more involved in the good works of St. Margaret of Scotland. Our ministries will have information to share and involved parishioners will be available to chat or help you to be involved. There will be wine and cheese after the Saturday Mass, and coffee and donuts after the Sunday Masses; in addition, many organizations will have candy, treats, or other sweets and savories. All who come to the Ministry Fair will be registered for a raffle and can win a free dinner at the Feast on Flad on November 11. Come each of the three weekends to learn about our parish and to strengthen our community! Here is the lineup:
October 7-8 – Liturgical Ministries
Choir, Musicians, Lectors, Communion Ministers, Hospitality, Greeters, Children’s Liturgy of the Word, Altar Guild, Adoration, Baptism Preparation, Marriage Preparation, RCIA
October 14-15 – Justice and Service Ministries
Living Justice Ministries (Racial Equity, Care of Creation, Immigration, Gun Sense, Pride of St. Margaret), Respect Life, St. Vincent de Paul Society, South City Immigrant & Refugee Ministry
October 21-22 – Parish Ministries and Organizations
Young Professionals, Ladies Auxiliary, PTA, Coffee & Donuts, Athletic Association, Scouts, Youth Ministry, One Classroom
Let’s continue to pray that God will help us to be more grateful and generous!
Lord Jesus,
teach me to be generous;
teach me to serve you as you deserve,
to give and not to count the cost,
to fight and not to heed the wounds,
to toil and not to seek for rest,
to labor and not to seek reward,
except that of knowing that I do your will.
Amen.