Dear Parishioners,

This weekend the Universal Church celebrates CHRIST THE KING. When the church refers to this feast, she is referring not to a stately and majestic “king,” but to a servant and suffering “king.” Jesus is that kind of “king” for us. Let us imitate Him as best as we can as members of His church!

During the week on Tuesday, November 23, 2021, Kathy Friess, Jeff Andrea, and myself will attend an important gathering with Bishop Malesic and his team of advisors. It will be a listening session about the future of Catholic Schools in our diocese.

Bishop Malesic last winter launched The KEEPING THE FAITH INITIATIVE, the Future of Catholic Elementary Schools initiative. This initiative was charged with creating a strategic plan for the diocese to strengthen and assure the long-term viability of our Catholic Schools. Data was produced all throughout the year from all parishes with schools to help form this strategic plan.

We will be listening to this first draft of this plan and offering feedback to move forward with implementation in the years to come.

A second gathering will be held in the beginning of December which will be held for all chairpersons of both Parish Pastoral Council and Parish Finance Council throughout the diocese! IHM will be represented at that gathering there as well.

These are critical issues for our exploration and future planning of IHM Catholic Elementary School.

Overall, I am most grateful to the financial sacrifices of our school parents, grandparents, and guardians to send their children to our Catholic School. In addition, I am most grateful for the financial sacrifice of our parishioners in the offertory of which 23% of their offering is subsidy for school operations, helping IHM afford this choice for education.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you. Gratitude is the best attitude.

Many blessings,

Father Jim