FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK……

FEBRUARY 15, 2005

Dear Fellow Parishioners,

   Next Sunday, February 22nd, is Commitment Sunday for our Annual Bishop's Appeal for the new year 2004.  We hope that you will plan to be here and perhaps bring a friend along as well.  A member of our parish will speak at all the Masses and share with us how his life and family have been blessed by God through participating in this annual pledge drive.  I know you'll be inspired as you listen to his story and hear his wonderful message.

   Our Diocesan Assessment for 2004 is $8,700.00.  This assessment goes to the Diocese of Monterey to help support all the vital ministries that serve our Central Coast Area.  In the six months or so that I have been here at Old Mission San Miguel, I have personally witnessed how much help the Diocese provides for us at the local level of our parish.   For example, when we suddenly lost our dear Parish Business Manager, Barbara Regusci, due to serious illness last June, the Diocese sent skilled people to help us train our new Parish Office Manager, Maria Payeur.  Many of our lay liturgical ministers have been aided tremendously in carrying our their vital ministries by attending a liturgical workshop sponsored by the Monterey Diocese.  I also think about our catechists who have been supported in their ministry by Diocesan programs.  I think about Mr. George Batchelder, a seminarian from the Diocese of Monterey, who helped us out last year during the summer.  As I consider all these things, I wonder where we would be today as a parish without the Monterey Diocese and its support ministries which we fund when we pledge generously to the Annual Bishop's Appeal.

   I would simply like to end by inviting each of us to seriously consider this week what his or her pledge amount will be for 2004.  You may want to discuss this issue with someone beforehand.  Now is the time!  May God bless each one of you as you pray, reflect, and decide what your pledge will be.  Then come next week to make your pledge and get ready to be blessed by God in a special way!

    Sincerely yours in Christ,

    Rev. Raymond J. Tintle, OFM
    Pastor