+JMJ
Dear Parishioners,
Just before I went on vacation a couple weeks ago, we were notified by the Diocese that the final plans for our storage building were approved by the Diocesan Building Commission, and the Bishop gave permission for it. Back on January 3rd , I signed a contract with Clouse Construction to design the building; so you can see how many months it has taken. Clouse made the drawings happen pretty quickly, and then we got permits from the city and the county; and at the same time we sent the drawings to the Diocesan Building Commission for approval. The Building Commission required an engineering company to stamp the plans; and that process took many weeks as well. All that remains is to draw up a final building contract. Once Legal Counsel of the Diocese approves that contract, I will sign it, and we will be good to build. So I think we are very close to breaking ground. It has been quite a journey.
This is a great time again to thank everybody who gave to the Living Christ Capital Campaign of the Diocese, which has so far returned to the parish about $90,000 of what has been paid already in pledges. Some of this money will “top off” what we already had collected in anonymous donations towards the building, as well as the money from sale of the outbuildings on the high school property. The next project to tackle will be the church lighting, and the capital campaign money will again help top off any shortfall in funds we already have earmarked for that project. Please continue to be faithful to your Campaign pledges, as long as you are able. I realize things are tight economically for everybody right now.
On another note, this weekend we will have a substitute priest for Sunday Masses, because I have been asked to cover Latin Masses up at St. Joseph's Downtown Toledo. That parish was where I was first a pastor back in 2008. Having to learn the Latin Mass absolutely changed my priesthood, and profoundly deepened my understanding of the Mass. St. Joseph's Parish is covering the stipend of the priest coming to St. Wendelin, as I go to St. Joseph's. It's not so easy to find substitute priests for the Latin Mass, which is why this unusual trade is happening. I am still here for Saturday 4:30 Mass this weekend. Thanks for your understanding!
On still another note, I am increasingly seeing ads telling us all to vote "no" on Issue #1 for August 8th's special ballot in Ohio. The ads say voting "yes" will ruin our constitutional rights and weaken our voting power. However, this is not the case at all. Instead, Issue #1 will prevent special interest groups with big money from amending the Ohio State Constitution to enshrine abortion permanently in our state. Those against the issue are paying big money for advertising that uses language that claims we will lose our voting power in Ohio, to say that Issue #1 must be defeated. Please support Issue #1 on August 8th. Vote "yes" on Issue #1. Many people will ignore voting, since we are used to November voting; but please get out and vote for Issue #1. This is definitely a moral issue that even our bishops are advising us on. Thanks for your faithful citizenship, and for voting from the Heart of Jesus to save children in the womb of their mothers. Those trying to block Issue #1 are trying to block any constitutional laws that protect babies in the womb.
Have a blessed week!
In cordibus Iesu, Mariae et Iosephus,
Father Poggemeyer