Today is Pentecost Sunday, the birthday of the Church. Here at St. Jerome Church we have much to celebrate. This is a community with strong lay involvement. Just last week we saw that strength in an election of new Pastoral Council members from a list of 17 strong candidates. On Saturday June 3rd, we will see another sign of strength: the 20th Annual Parish Raffle.
As I write this, we are ahead of last year and even the weather looks like it will help out. Both my trusted weather apps predict sunshine. The raffle committee led by Karen Christensen, John Kuczo, and Missy Ely has sprung into action, and with lots of team- work, everything will be perfect.
It is with sadness, however, that I inform you that Karen and her family will be moving to Texas, shortly after the picnic. As regular readers know, I talk about the “twelve”, my key lay leaders who devote enormous energy and talent to the parish. I call them the twelve though sometimes it is really the “twenty five”.
There is enormous devotion to St. Jerome and the work of the kingdom in this parish. One of the “twelve” is Karen Christensen. She has done so much for us. Her move will be a loss to the parish, not only of a hard worker, but of one who seeks the good of oth- ers without asking anything in return. We will miss her and I will miss her. Her parents Ralph and Terri Fredericks will also be moving to Florida, so in one swoop we lose five faithful parishioners. Change is supposed to be good, but in this case I am not so sure. Our thanks and praise go with Jeff, Karen and their son Tyler as they go forth. Their family will always be in the hearts.
Enjoy Pentecost Sunday and give thanks for the gift of the Holy Spirit who binds us all together whether we are near of far.
