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A Letter from Rev. Joseph K. Kalladan, Pastor


Sunday Bulletin - September 23, 2007

Dear Parishioner,

Spending considerable time every week to formulate the weekly parish bulletin message, I often wonder if it's worth the time spent for it: whether or not parishioners take the time to read it at all. I am happy to know that the parishioners that I have asked tell me that they do take the time to read it. Hopefully, they are not saying this just to please me. Last week, playing golf with Kelly, he told me that the first thing he does when getting the bulletin is to read the pastor's message. Several ladies who come for the weekday masses attest to the same. It is certainly good to know that the effort that goes into it hopefully does continue to have some beneficial results.

This week, I am calling your kind attention to the 'PARISH MINISTRY DAY' that is scheduled for the weekend of Sept. 29 & 30. Letters have been sent to all the parish ministry leaders about it. Last year, it was a resounding success not only because the whole set up for it at the Aquinas Center was very well done, with needed information about the ministries, but more so because of the great participation of parishioners who signed up for the various parish ministries. When talking about "ministry in the Church", it is important for us to be fully aware of what Jesus is asking us. His whole mission on earth was spent to serve the needs of others. In fact, He said: " The Son of Man has come to serve and not to be served". Whatever form it took for Him to serve others, be it reading in the synagogue, healing, preaching, walking to far off places, putting mud mixed with His saliva on the blind man's eyes, washing the feet of the apostles, etc. he did it most generously. He made it very clear that the hallmark of every follower is to 'serve': i.e. serving to build up the Kingdom He has left for us to build and to continue ministering to the needs of others.

St. Thomas Aquinas Parish is blessed to have a great number of varied ministries that cater to almost everyone’s taste and calling. This very welcoming parish also has so many parishioners who are very involved in the various parish ministries. Our goal is, of course, maximum participation. Hence, we are asking every one who has some affiliation with the parish, to respond to the call of Jesus to ministry. The forthcoming Ministry Day gives every one of us to an opportunity to respond to this call of Christ Jesus. Please do not fail Him by excuses. I believe, they are often really lame excuses like 'no time', 'too busy' etc., because we have always the time to do the things we want to do, things that are important to us. Hence are we trying to tell Jesus that we do not have the time for Him?

Let us, dear friends, pray for each other that all of us may generously and joyfully respond to His call to MINISTRY in the Church.

Fr. K.K.

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