From Father Tim's Desk
Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. Proverbs 19: 20-21
January 29, 2023
Dear Parishioners,
There is an ancient legend about the Three Magi when they departed from their visit with the Christ Child. As the story is told, Melchior, Caspar, and Balthasar could not agree on which star to follow on their journey back home, so they parted company and went three different ways. January 30th marks the ancient feast day when, according to tradition, all Three Magi arrived at their home city on the same day and at the same time.
To their surprise and wonder, while each came from a different direction, on a different road, they met one another on a hill just
outside of their home city. In amazement, they realized that each one had actually been following the same star, only seeing it from a different angle. The story is sometimes called “The Lost Magi” or “The Miracle of the Magi’s Return Home.” Regardless of what it is called, there are countless stars and paths that we can follow in life, both good and bad, but the journey to our eternal home will depend more upon Whom we follow. For Jesus said: “I am The Way.” May we all agree on that indomitable Truth.
Peace.
Father Tim
Dear Parishioners,
There is an ancient legend about the Three Magi when they departed from their visit with the Christ Child. As the story is told, Melchior, Caspar, and Balthasar could not agree on which star to follow on their journey back home, so they parted company and went three different ways. January 30th marks the ancient feast day when, according to tradition, all Three Magi arrived at their home city on the same day and at the same time.
To their surprise and wonder, while each came from a different direction, on a different road, they met one another on a hill just
outside of their home city. In amazement, they realized that each one had actually been following the same star, only seeing it from a different angle. The story is sometimes called “The Lost Magi” or “The Miracle of the Magi’s Return Home.” Regardless of what it is called, there are countless stars and paths that we can follow in life, both good and bad, but the journey to our eternal home will depend more upon Whom we follow. For Jesus said: “I am The Way.” May we all agree on that indomitable Truth.
Peace.
Father Tim
January 22, 2023
Dear Parishioners,
This past week from Monday, Jan. 16th to Friday, Jan. 20th, I attended the diocesan sponsored priest retreat at the Bethany Retreat Center in Lutz, FL. Normally I schedule my own silent retreat at a Trappist monastery during the summer, but this year was different because of
the person who directed our Bethany retreat. It was my old scripture professor and dean of men from the seminary days, Msgr. Stephen Bosso. Without a doubt, Msgr. Bosso was my favorite teacher at St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary and a great example for many seminarians, including myself, for some 38 years. He will be retiring from the seminary at the end of this semester in May, and so I wanted to take advantage of perhaps a final opportunity to listen to his lectures on scripture and the spiritual life. Few can do it better. I would tell you more about it, but I am actually writing this column before leaving for retreat. But what I can tell you is that his topic was on diocesan priestly spirituality through the lens of St. Matthew’s Gospel. Perhaps I’ll share more later. Most importantly, though, was that you were all in my prayers during my time away. And may our Lord’s call in this Sunday’s Gospel to “Come after me,” be the response that truly matters in our life—past, present, and future.
Peace.
Father Tim
Dear Parishioners,
This past week from Monday, Jan. 16th to Friday, Jan. 20th, I attended the diocesan sponsored priest retreat at the Bethany Retreat Center in Lutz, FL. Normally I schedule my own silent retreat at a Trappist monastery during the summer, but this year was different because of
the person who directed our Bethany retreat. It was my old scripture professor and dean of men from the seminary days, Msgr. Stephen Bosso. Without a doubt, Msgr. Bosso was my favorite teacher at St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary and a great example for many seminarians, including myself, for some 38 years. He will be retiring from the seminary at the end of this semester in May, and so I wanted to take advantage of perhaps a final opportunity to listen to his lectures on scripture and the spiritual life. Few can do it better. I would tell you more about it, but I am actually writing this column before leaving for retreat. But what I can tell you is that his topic was on diocesan priestly spirituality through the lens of St. Matthew’s Gospel. Perhaps I’ll share more later. Most importantly, though, was that you were all in my prayers during my time away. And may our Lord’s call in this Sunday’s Gospel to “Come after me,” be the response that truly matters in our life—past, present, and future.
Peace.
Father Tim
January 15, 2023
Dear Parishioners,
You might have heard last week that I was sick with Covid. After all the Christmas Masses and Mary, the Mother of God Masses, my gift for the New Year was getting the infamous virus. It came fast and hard, and I was down for a week, but I’m back among the living now and much better as I write this message. The thing about priests getting sick is
that parish work still continues. Masses continue. Possible funerals and other unexpected ministerial needs continue. Thankfully, that didn’t happen. But, of course, we did have a wedding scheduled while I was sick. And don’t even bother telling the couple that the poor priest felt like death on a cracker. No siree. The wedding would continue one way or another. I am grateful to Father Tony, Margie, Sheila, and others who were able to fill in and make it all work out nicely. It was nothing short of a minor miracle.
I remember a saying as a kid, “I’m a hard dog to keep under the porch.” The older men used to sometimes boast that phrase when they got better after being sick. Now I’m one of those “older” men, and I will reclaim those words for myself today. It segues well with the first reading from Isaiah, who in recognizing his own weaknesses proclaimed that “my God is now my strength!” I am grateful to God, and for your prayers, to be back out from under the porch.
Peace.
Father Tim
Dear Parishioners,
You might have heard last week that I was sick with Covid. After all the Christmas Masses and Mary, the Mother of God Masses, my gift for the New Year was getting the infamous virus. It came fast and hard, and I was down for a week, but I’m back among the living now and much better as I write this message. The thing about priests getting sick is
that parish work still continues. Masses continue. Possible funerals and other unexpected ministerial needs continue. Thankfully, that didn’t happen. But, of course, we did have a wedding scheduled while I was sick. And don’t even bother telling the couple that the poor priest felt like death on a cracker. No siree. The wedding would continue one way or another. I am grateful to Father Tony, Margie, Sheila, and others who were able to fill in and make it all work out nicely. It was nothing short of a minor miracle.
I remember a saying as a kid, “I’m a hard dog to keep under the porch.” The older men used to sometimes boast that phrase when they got better after being sick. Now I’m one of those “older” men, and I will reclaim those words for myself today. It segues well with the first reading from Isaiah, who in recognizing his own weaknesses proclaimed that “my God is now my strength!” I am grateful to God, and for your prayers, to be back out from under the porch.
Peace.
Father Tim
January 8, 2023
Dear Parishioners,
One of the big news stories about space in 2022 was the discovery of the most distant single star ever observed, glimmering 28 billion light-years away! Did you hear about it? Yeah, big news if you’re a science enthusiast. And the star could be between 50 to 500 times more massive than our sun, and millions of times brighter. Wow! Where are my sunglasses? Astronomers also estimate that the age of this star goes back to about 900 million years after the Big Bang. That means that the light we see from this star today was from a time when the universe was less than a billion years old, only 6% of its current age. It gives a whole new meaning to the idea of “old age.” And so, astronomers have nicknamed the star Earendel, derived from the Old English words that mean “morning star” or “rising light.”
The Solemnity of the Epiphany this Sunday also directs our thoughts to space and recalls the great star that led the Magi to the Christ child. We used to celebrate it on January 6th, but in the U.S. it was transferred to the nearest Sunday. The main reason was to try to ensure more participation on this important Holy Day. Fewer people were attending this Solemnity, especially when it fell in the middle of the week, even though it was still a Holy Day of Obligation. Come to think of it, few people attended, or even noticed the great star of Bethlehem, on the night of that first glorious Epiphany. Things haven’t changed much, I suppose. But that includes our mission too. It is the essence of the Epiphany story and continues to this day: Go and search diligently for the Christ child, and then come back and tell people about it. The manifestations of Christ are active and present in our daily lives if we would but have the eyes of faith and a cosmic sense to seek the One who is “the bright morning star” (Rev. 22:16). Happy stargazing.
Peace.
Father Tim
Dear Parishioners,
One of the big news stories about space in 2022 was the discovery of the most distant single star ever observed, glimmering 28 billion light-years away! Did you hear about it? Yeah, big news if you’re a science enthusiast. And the star could be between 50 to 500 times more massive than our sun, and millions of times brighter. Wow! Where are my sunglasses? Astronomers also estimate that the age of this star goes back to about 900 million years after the Big Bang. That means that the light we see from this star today was from a time when the universe was less than a billion years old, only 6% of its current age. It gives a whole new meaning to the idea of “old age.” And so, astronomers have nicknamed the star Earendel, derived from the Old English words that mean “morning star” or “rising light.”
The Solemnity of the Epiphany this Sunday also directs our thoughts to space and recalls the great star that led the Magi to the Christ child. We used to celebrate it on January 6th, but in the U.S. it was transferred to the nearest Sunday. The main reason was to try to ensure more participation on this important Holy Day. Fewer people were attending this Solemnity, especially when it fell in the middle of the week, even though it was still a Holy Day of Obligation. Come to think of it, few people attended, or even noticed the great star of Bethlehem, on the night of that first glorious Epiphany. Things haven’t changed much, I suppose. But that includes our mission too. It is the essence of the Epiphany story and continues to this day: Go and search diligently for the Christ child, and then come back and tell people about it. The manifestations of Christ are active and present in our daily lives if we would but have the eyes of faith and a cosmic sense to seek the One who is “the bright morning star” (Rev. 22:16). Happy stargazing.
Peace.
Father Tim
January 1, 2023
Dear Parishioners,
Happy New Year! Can you believe it? January of 2023 is here. The old year has passed and a new one begins. It reminds me of the origin of the word January. The month was named after Janus, the two-faced Roman mythology god of doorways. With one face he was able to guard the front entrance of the new year, and with the other he watched the rear door of the old. I’m not sure what it was he was guarding, but it must have been important. I know that part of the myth was that such doorways were transitions, like from war to peace, from endings to beginnings, and from past to future. He oversaw the gateways of life.
But as we begin this new year, may we reaffirm our faith in the one who said, “I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture” (John 10:9). Jesus is the way, and his Blessed Mother reminds us again of that truth on her special solemnity this Sunday.
Peace.
Father Tim
Dear Parishioners,
Happy New Year! Can you believe it? January of 2023 is here. The old year has passed and a new one begins. It reminds me of the origin of the word January. The month was named after Janus, the two-faced Roman mythology god of doorways. With one face he was able to guard the front entrance of the new year, and with the other he watched the rear door of the old. I’m not sure what it was he was guarding, but it must have been important. I know that part of the myth was that such doorways were transitions, like from war to peace, from endings to beginnings, and from past to future. He oversaw the gateways of life.
But as we begin this new year, may we reaffirm our faith in the one who said, “I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture” (John 10:9). Jesus is the way, and his Blessed Mother reminds us again of that truth on her special solemnity this Sunday.
Peace.
Father Tim
December 26 2022
Dear Parishioners,
Merry Christmas! The day of Jesus’ birth has finally come. Let us celebrate and give thanks for the gift of Emmanuel—God with us. “Christ’s Mass,” as it was originally known in the early Church, took over an ancient Roman pagan day that worshiped the sun in the sky and replaced it by observing the birth of the Son of God—the Light of the World. Thus, the day of December 25th is probably not an accurate date of birth for Jesus. Scholars seem to think that it likely happened in the spring time, ironically within the season of Easter. Another interesting tidbit of trivia is how we measure our calendar, namely B.C. (Before Christ) and A.D. (Anno Domini or Year of the Lord). Human history is marked from either before Christ’s birth or after his death. That is an incredible thing when you think about it. However, we goofed on that a little bit too. A sixth century monk who calculated the date of Christ’s birth for the Gregorian calendar made a mistake of four or five years. Oops! Scholars again figure that a more accurate birth of Jesus would be 4 B.C. So, I’m actually writing this in the year 2026. That means early retirement and another reason to celebrate. Yippee!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Father Tim
Dear Parishioners,
Merry Christmas! The day of Jesus’ birth has finally come. Let us celebrate and give thanks for the gift of Emmanuel—God with us. “Christ’s Mass,” as it was originally known in the early Church, took over an ancient Roman pagan day that worshiped the sun in the sky and replaced it by observing the birth of the Son of God—the Light of the World. Thus, the day of December 25th is probably not an accurate date of birth for Jesus. Scholars seem to think that it likely happened in the spring time, ironically within the season of Easter. Another interesting tidbit of trivia is how we measure our calendar, namely B.C. (Before Christ) and A.D. (Anno Domini or Year of the Lord). Human history is marked from either before Christ’s birth or after his death. That is an incredible thing when you think about it. However, we goofed on that a little bit too. A sixth century monk who calculated the date of Christ’s birth for the Gregorian calendar made a mistake of four or five years. Oops! Scholars again figure that a more accurate birth of Jesus would be 4 B.C. So, I’m actually writing this in the year 2026. That means early retirement and another reason to celebrate. Yippee!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Father Tim
December 18, 2022
Dear Parishioners,
We are just one week away from Christmas! Gentlemen, you can’t wait any longer. It’s time to get started buying those Christmas presents for the family! Yes, my friends, the mad dash before Christmas has, once again, overwhelmed department store workers, impatient customers at post offices, and procrastinating husbands and fathers. With that in mind, I would like to share a fitting prayer that was written years ago by Bishop Raymond J. Boland (1932-2014) of the Diocese of Kansas City:
God, our Father, may everything we do be first-class.
Imprint your own loving Zip Code upon our hearts so that we may never go astray. Provide, in your gracious providence, special handling for those of us who are fragile and keep us in one piece. We have been signed, sealed, stamped, and delivered in your image and likeness,
and we beg you to keep us in your care as we go about our appointed rounds. And when our days draw to a close and we are marked
“Return to Sender,” be there to greet us at heaven’s door so that nobody may ever say, “Unknown at this Address.”
Amen.
Peace.
Father Tim
Dear Parishioners,
We are just one week away from Christmas! Gentlemen, you can’t wait any longer. It’s time to get started buying those Christmas presents for the family! Yes, my friends, the mad dash before Christmas has, once again, overwhelmed department store workers, impatient customers at post offices, and procrastinating husbands and fathers. With that in mind, I would like to share a fitting prayer that was written years ago by Bishop Raymond J. Boland (1932-2014) of the Diocese of Kansas City:
God, our Father, may everything we do be first-class.
Imprint your own loving Zip Code upon our hearts so that we may never go astray. Provide, in your gracious providence, special handling for those of us who are fragile and keep us in one piece. We have been signed, sealed, stamped, and delivered in your image and likeness,
and we beg you to keep us in your care as we go about our appointed rounds. And when our days draw to a close and we are marked
“Return to Sender,” be there to greet us at heaven’s door so that nobody may ever say, “Unknown at this Address.”
Amen.
Peace.
Father Tim
December 11, 2022
Dear Parishioners,
Lily Tomlin, the comedian and actress, once said: “I always wanted to be somebody, but I should have been more specific.” We have all had, or perhaps still have, dreams of being “somebody” someday. The Gospel for this Third Sunday of Advent recounts the story of when John the Baptist was in prison and sent his disciples to ask Jesus, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” He wanted to know if Jesus was the Messiah, or simply another run-of-the-mill prophet. In other words, was Jesus the divine “Somebody” that scripture foretold? In turn, Jesus relayed a message back to John that the scriptures were being fulfilled in their midst—the blind see, lame walk, lepers cleansed, deaf hear, and the dead are raised. That’s quite an I.D. verification.
The Advent and Christmas seasons recognize that you are “somebody” to God. Why did the Word of God become flesh? Among other things, so that we “may come to share in the divine nature” (2 Peter 1:4). If that blows your mind, get a load of what St. Thomas Aquinas wrote: “The only-begotten Son of God, wanting to make us sharers in his divinity, assumed our nature, so that he, made man, might make men [and women] gods.” That comes straight from the Church’s Catechism (#460). I think it is safe to say that makes you a “somebody.”
Peace.
Father Tim
Dear Parishioners,
Lily Tomlin, the comedian and actress, once said: “I always wanted to be somebody, but I should have been more specific.” We have all had, or perhaps still have, dreams of being “somebody” someday. The Gospel for this Third Sunday of Advent recounts the story of when John the Baptist was in prison and sent his disciples to ask Jesus, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” He wanted to know if Jesus was the Messiah, or simply another run-of-the-mill prophet. In other words, was Jesus the divine “Somebody” that scripture foretold? In turn, Jesus relayed a message back to John that the scriptures were being fulfilled in their midst—the blind see, lame walk, lepers cleansed, deaf hear, and the dead are raised. That’s quite an I.D. verification.
The Advent and Christmas seasons recognize that you are “somebody” to God. Why did the Word of God become flesh? Among other things, so that we “may come to share in the divine nature” (2 Peter 1:4). If that blows your mind, get a load of what St. Thomas Aquinas wrote: “The only-begotten Son of God, wanting to make us sharers in his divinity, assumed our nature, so that he, made man, might make men [and women] gods.” That comes straight from the Church’s Catechism (#460). I think it is safe to say that makes you a “somebody.”
Peace.
Father Tim
December 4, 2022
Dear Parishioners,
Two weeks ago we had to prepare two bulletins in the same week due to the time constraints of the Thanksgiving holiday. That is why you did not see my regular column last week. On such occasions, Sheila will find “filler” to put in place of my column. I have to laugh about it because people usually like them better anyway. It keeps me humble.
Speaking of keeping humble, my 9:00 AM Sunday Mass two weeks ago was a classic example of memory loss at a key moment in the homily. Those moments can happen occasionally for extemporaneous preachers, but recovery is usually quick, often imperceptible, when a mnemonic method is used. However, I “forgot” to include a mnemonic in my homily and blanked out with no lifeline. The best thing to do in those situations is to just conclude, but instead I rambled along attempting to hook a memory cue that did not exist. It was a dismal failure on my part. Yet I know that God’s grace still works in the hearts of listeners, even when the vessel of clay that contains the message is sometimes broken.
I’m surprised that people have asked me since then what was the part of the message that I inconveniently forgot. The gist of it was that it is never too late to turn back to God. That also ties in well with this week’s Gospel about John the Baptist preaching in the desert a message of repentance. The word repent means to turn or return. In this case, to turn or return from sin to God. John the Baptist says that the time is now and not to wait. Wise words to heed. But rest assured that as long as we have air in our lungs and a beating heart, it is never too late.
Peace.
Father Tim
Dear Parishioners,
Two weeks ago we had to prepare two bulletins in the same week due to the time constraints of the Thanksgiving holiday. That is why you did not see my regular column last week. On such occasions, Sheila will find “filler” to put in place of my column. I have to laugh about it because people usually like them better anyway. It keeps me humble.
Speaking of keeping humble, my 9:00 AM Sunday Mass two weeks ago was a classic example of memory loss at a key moment in the homily. Those moments can happen occasionally for extemporaneous preachers, but recovery is usually quick, often imperceptible, when a mnemonic method is used. However, I “forgot” to include a mnemonic in my homily and blanked out with no lifeline. The best thing to do in those situations is to just conclude, but instead I rambled along attempting to hook a memory cue that did not exist. It was a dismal failure on my part. Yet I know that God’s grace still works in the hearts of listeners, even when the vessel of clay that contains the message is sometimes broken.
I’m surprised that people have asked me since then what was the part of the message that I inconveniently forgot. The gist of it was that it is never too late to turn back to God. That also ties in well with this week’s Gospel about John the Baptist preaching in the desert a message of repentance. The word repent means to turn or return. In this case, to turn or return from sin to God. John the Baptist says that the time is now and not to wait. Wise words to heed. But rest assured that as long as we have air in our lungs and a beating heart, it is never too late.
Peace.
Father Tim
November 20, 2022
Dear Parishioners,
Tis the season to be thankful. The celebration of Thanksgiving Day is this week. I read that the first American Thanksgiving was in 1621. The invited guests included Chief Massasoit and ninety men of Wampanoag tribe, along with fifty-six white settlers. The meal was prepared by four Pilgrim women and two teenage girls. Wow! So, what did the men do? And then after the meal, a surprise desert was brought by Quadequina, the brother of Massasoit, to share with everyone—a large basket of popcorn.
Those native people and Pilgrim settlers gave thanks together for God’s simple gifts. I wonder though, how much is God a part of our holiday (i.e., holy day) today? It has become more of a secular celebration in our time, with Family, Food, and Football at the center. Nothing wrong with those three things, of course, but what happened to God? As we celebrate Thanksgiving Day 2022, may we be mindful and thankful to God for our own pilgrimage, the full pantry of our life, the gifts of comfort and country, the blessings of food and shelter, the privilege of work and education, and so many other wonderful things we often take for granted. Be thankful to God, the source of all good things, for what fills your pantry to overflowing.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Father Tim
Dear Parishioners,
Tis the season to be thankful. The celebration of Thanksgiving Day is this week. I read that the first American Thanksgiving was in 1621. The invited guests included Chief Massasoit and ninety men of Wampanoag tribe, along with fifty-six white settlers. The meal was prepared by four Pilgrim women and two teenage girls. Wow! So, what did the men do? And then after the meal, a surprise desert was brought by Quadequina, the brother of Massasoit, to share with everyone—a large basket of popcorn.
Those native people and Pilgrim settlers gave thanks together for God’s simple gifts. I wonder though, how much is God a part of our holiday (i.e., holy day) today? It has become more of a secular celebration in our time, with Family, Food, and Football at the center. Nothing wrong with those three things, of course, but what happened to God? As we celebrate Thanksgiving Day 2022, may we be mindful and thankful to God for our own pilgrimage, the full pantry of our life, the gifts of comfort and country, the blessings of food and shelter, the privilege of work and education, and so many other wonderful things we often take for granted. Be thankful to God, the source of all good things, for what fills your pantry to overflowing.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Father Tim
November 13, 2022
Dear Parishioners,
I was encouraged by the numbers that attended Mass last weekend, especially on Sunday at 9:00 AM. We had a full house. Part of it could have been the change from daylight savings to standard time. The other possibility could have been that it was coffee & donuts weekend. That might all be true, but I think that our winter residents and visitors are starting to return and it is showing. It’s nice to see such a positive change since the Covid days.
Speaking of Covid, the last ministry that has yet to be brought back in our church is altar serving. That liturgical ministry should be reestablished at some point again for the weekend Masses. Covid took it all away before I arrived at the parish, and the server list was reduced to just a few names. I would like to reexamine the ministry, make some adjustments to procedures for Mass, and then recruit and train a group of servers who are willing to be on our weekend schedule. Our past practice was to use either an adult or child server, and that will continue as before. I hope to get that back up and running fairly soon. More information to follow.
This is the 33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time. That means we only have a couple of weeks left before the start of Advent. The time has passed me by. That’s “Chronos” time for those who were at one of my Masses last weekend. May God fill your day with many bless-filled moments.
Peace.
Father Tim
Dear Parishioners,
I was encouraged by the numbers that attended Mass last weekend, especially on Sunday at 9:00 AM. We had a full house. Part of it could have been the change from daylight savings to standard time. The other possibility could have been that it was coffee & donuts weekend. That might all be true, but I think that our winter residents and visitors are starting to return and it is showing. It’s nice to see such a positive change since the Covid days.
Speaking of Covid, the last ministry that has yet to be brought back in our church is altar serving. That liturgical ministry should be reestablished at some point again for the weekend Masses. Covid took it all away before I arrived at the parish, and the server list was reduced to just a few names. I would like to reexamine the ministry, make some adjustments to procedures for Mass, and then recruit and train a group of servers who are willing to be on our weekend schedule. Our past practice was to use either an adult or child server, and that will continue as before. I hope to get that back up and running fairly soon. More information to follow.
This is the 33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time. That means we only have a couple of weeks left before the start of Advent. The time has passed me by. That’s “Chronos” time for those who were at one of my Masses last weekend. May God fill your day with many bless-filled moments.
Peace.
Father Tim
November 6, 2022
Dear Parishioners,
It has been a few months now that the parish has functioned without a business manager. Sheila and I have tried to handle things as best as possible, and I am especially grateful to Sheila for temporarily taking the brunt of the load. I am happy to announce that we finally have a new business manager for the parish. His name is Steve Curtis. If you don’t know the name, you might recognize his face because he and his wife, Mary, are the greeters at the 9:00 AM Sunday Mass. Steve and Mary have been parishioners at St. Brendan’s since 2014. I actually knew them at Espiritu Santo parish in Safety Harbor years ago. Steve comes with a cross section of skills and a wealth of experience that will serve the position and parish well. Additionally, he is a person of faith and outstand- ing character, and I am confident he will serve the needs and best interests of the parish. Steve’s first day is Monday, November 7th. So please extend to him a warm welcome in his new job, and keep him in your prayers. We’re glad to have you onboard, Steve!
Peace. Father Tim
Dear Parishioners,
It has been a few months now that the parish has functioned without a business manager. Sheila and I have tried to handle things as best as possible, and I am especially grateful to Sheila for temporarily taking the brunt of the load. I am happy to announce that we finally have a new business manager for the parish. His name is Steve Curtis. If you don’t know the name, you might recognize his face because he and his wife, Mary, are the greeters at the 9:00 AM Sunday Mass. Steve and Mary have been parishioners at St. Brendan’s since 2014. I actually knew them at Espiritu Santo parish in Safety Harbor years ago. Steve comes with a cross section of skills and a wealth of experience that will serve the position and parish well. Additionally, he is a person of faith and outstand- ing character, and I am confident he will serve the needs and best interests of the parish. Steve’s first day is Monday, November 7th. So please extend to him a warm welcome in his new job, and keep him in your prayers. We’re glad to have you onboard, Steve!
Peace. Father Tim