You are Gifted!

To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit.
    St. Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians 12:7

Happy Second Sunday of Ordinary Time!

We begin this Sunday to read a few chapters late in Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, including Paul’s contemplation on stewardship, love and the meaning of the death and resurrection of Jesus. We’ll be reading these few chapters until Lent begins (only six more Sundays!).

Paul goes down a list of nine spiritual gifts. Some of these St. Therese is quite strong in: wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing (I can think of two miraculous healings credited to the prayers of this par-ish.) But I don’t think that Paul meant this to be a categorization of the gifts of the Spirit. I think he meant what he said: “To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit.” Each individual gets something for the benefit of all. This is good news, indeed! If you haven’t discov-ered yours yet, dive into a ministry. Ministry will bring it out for you.

A few ministries (in the order they emerged from my random mind) where your gifts might flourish:

Welcomers, Ushers, Singers, Musicians, Lay ministers, Cross-bearers, Gift-presenters, Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, Live-stream producers, Catechists, Writers, Photographers, Gardeners, Weeders, St. Vincent de Paul caretakers of the poor, Visitors to the homebound, Cleaners, Folk who set up, Folk who take down, Builders, Office assistants, Decorators, Discerners, Prayers, Students, Facilita-tors, Visionaries, Speakers series organizers, Historians, Financial analysts, Organizers, Herders of cats, Marketers, Sales-folk, Archivists, Editors, Proof-readers, Data inputters, Website posters, Social media geeks, hospitality volunteers.

If you have any questions, please email me at jvrussell85@gmail.com or Diane Figaro at paa@st-therese.cc or Nicole St. Hilaire at nicoles@st-therese.cc. Our website, st-therese.cc has a wealth of information about how you could help!

If you haven’t made a pledge for this year, it’s not too late! Please go online to st-therese.cc, click on Give on the banner, and then choose “Stewardship of Treasure Commitment Form.”

Parish Collections                     July 2021          Last year
                                                         to current        at this time
Collections Income                  $232,775           $210,079
Net Income                                $  16,175            $    1,065
Savings Reserve                       $  85,112            $160,199

Net Income: the difference between all expenses and all income for the fiscal year so far
Savings Reserve: funds in PRF drawn on to cover extraordinary expenses or urgent cash deficits
This is a new format for the Parish Collections Report, we believe this more accurately reflects the current financial standing of the parish with regard to funds needed to meet expenses. We hope you find it helpful.