October 2006 Dear Members of St. Rose of Lima Parish Family, As your pastor, I am grateful for all the blessings I have experienced at St. Rose since I first arrived here in June 1995. This is a wonderful parish with an extraordinary history. The story of St. Rose is so special because of you and the fact that so many of you have been involved in one or several ministries touching the lives of others. THE PEOPLE ARE THE PARISH! YOU are the key ingredient in making St. Rose so alive and so fruitful. Included in this week’s bulletin is our Annual Report for the year ending August 31, 2006. Each year we carefully plan, review and monitor our budgets. Over the past several years, we continue to face increasing challenges in managing our budget with declining collections and the loss of a formerly significant rebate from the Ministries Appeal. I am very grateful to the St. Rose Finance Committee and the Trustees of St. Rose, along with the Pastoral Team and the Pastoral Staff, who show such dedication and commitment in working for the best interests of St. Rose no matter what challenges we face. Your generosity and the sharing of your financial resources enable us to accomplish so much in the life of the parish. We have better adult education opportunities for all of our people. St. Rose’s vast religious education efforts are not only reaching the heads of our young people but also their hearts. They are not only learning; they are reaching out to others. Our parish school is excellent and maintaining an enrollment of 500 students. Our CYO ( Catholic Youth Organization or Catholic Youth Ministry) is not only helping about 3,000 young people enjoy participation in sports, but is also encouraging them (and their parents) to a fuller participation in the faith life of our parish. Our sacramental preparation programs (Baptism, First Communion, First Penance, Confirmation, Marriage Prep) are solid and enriching. The Liturgical worship and the Liturgical Ministries of our parish, the Music Ministry , our Youth Ministry , our Family Liturgy are all inviting us to keep growing toward full and active participation in praising and thanking God, drawing strength and insight from his Word and from sharing in the Eucharist. And our Parish Social Ministries offer a multiplicity of services and support to innumerable parishioners and many beyond our parish as well. So many working with Outreach make the words of Jesus in Matthew 25 come alive: “When I was hungry, thirsty, sick, in prison, a stranger, etc., you saw my need and responded to me.” A vital and continuing effort for our future is to address the ever-growing needs of our parish in offering liturgies, programs and services that welcome and serve the parishioners of St. Rose. I ask that each of you take prayerful time to reflect on ways in which you can assist us with your time, talent and treasure as we walk this journey together. The need for ongoing upkeep for all our buildings is also a primary goal. Our Restoration Campaign continues to move forward, thanks to the commitment of so many of you who remain faithful to your pledges. The Buildings and Grounds Committee continues to play a key role in the on-going restoration projects identified at the beginning of our campaign. Included in our annual report is an update on our current status. We are a very large parish with over 6,700 registered families. Currently, 1300-1500 families (approximately 20%) form the backbone of the parish as our most active members. Let’s keep a spirit and energy alive that will encourage others to be more active, enrich our own lives and enhance our vision for the future! Peace!
Rev. Msgr. Daniel J. Hurley