Every now and then it’s good to look back at the distance we have traveled knowing the road ahead is long before we reach our final destination. Even mountain climbers stop from time to time to look down from the mountains, knowing the summit is still a long way ahead. Looking down periodically allows them to appreciate the distance they have already traveled. The same is true for St. John the Baptist. We have many miles to go before we reach the summit. But in two, short months, we have already travelled far.
On August 2nd we celebrated our first Mass with about 190 in attendance. By the end of September, we were averaging over 300 parishioners, and coming close to our capacity of 350 chairs. We have established a variety of ministries including: lectors, Eucharistic ministers, altar servers, greeters, hospitality ministers, liturgical environment, maintenance, safe environment, sacristans, music and sound ministers. In early September, our parish initiated its CCE or faith formation program for children and youth with approximately 60 participants led by a strong team of catechists and volunteers. Next week, we will be starting Season 5 of the Arise Program with a good number of participants for the Fall, and two of our parishioners will be launching a Knights of Columbus Roundtable.
With all of the above, it may not surprise you to learn that on Saturday, November 7th, we will be instituting a permanent Mass on Saturday. To be honest, this decision to begin a Saturday Mass is happening much earlier than I expected! Who could have imagined that we would come so far so fast? True, the summit of the mountain is still far away, and the climb to the top will be long and hard. But we have made a great beginning, and the view from the mountain right now is looking quite beautiful. Every day I thank God for each and every one of you, and all that you do for St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.
St. John the Baptist, we thank you!
St. John the Baptist, pray for us!