Dear Friends,
This weekend as we wrap up 2023, and look forward to 2024, let us spend some time on that at the parish level. We take stock and see where we have come and look ahead to where we are going. Too many wonderful things to celebrate in our parish from 2023, but here are some highlights.
One standout is our participation in community events and bigger church happenings. For example, we again joined Maple Shade for National Night Out in August and just now hosted part of the Holiday Festival on campus. It is great to partner with our neighbors to be a joyful presence in our town. You may not be aware, but we continue to sponsor youth sports teams in town as well. Let us not forget our huge Christmas Bazaar and Easter Egg Hunt, which attract people far and wide to campus. This year, we also drew over seven hundred people from all around south Jersey for the Eucharistic Miracles Exhibit, a beautiful opportunity to pray and spend some time deepening our faith in God. Check out some of the photos on the next page.
We continue to reach out to neighbors in several ways: regular food bank donations, supporting St. Vincent De Paul Society (100% of every donation helps local folk in need right in our midst), running our own Operation St. Nick and participating in the larger Toys for Tots drive.
The parish has grown in 2023. Since the pandemic we have been tracking the number of people at Mass. Especially over the past six months newcomers are joining every week. In Advent we are drawing close to our pre-pandemic Mass tallies of about 650 people each weekend. In 2023, over fifty new families joined our parish. In 2024, we are planning some meet and greet events so that new members can meet others and feel more connected to our parish family. Connections and relationships are key for us in 2024.
As new folk come to join us for Mass every week, or make a return after an absence, we strive to be warm and welcoming. If you see someone in church you do not recognize, please introduce yourself. Say “Hi, and welcome! It is good to see you. I am not sure we have met yet. My name is…” Who knows, you may just be meeting a new friend. By making those who seem unfamiliar feel comfortable, they will be more likely to return. Connection and feeling connected is key. Today, we live in a world of disconnection. So, we must be intentional about getting connected with those around us.
This year for our Stewardship Sunday commitment cards, we invited members to share hopes and dreams with us. I am delighted that so many of you took the time to make a financial commitment to our parish and to share your hopes. Many of these echo our own parish goals: grow in discipleship, deepen our sense of community, reach out to inactive members, bridge to the younger generations, become a more vibrant worship community, and welcome young families. This is just a smattering of your hopes, dreams, and desires. I love it!
For 2024, one of our big goals is to continue to engage the community, newcomers, and young families. I would love to continue our door knocking campaign in 2024. None of that is possible without more members stepping forward to serve, to lend their time and talents to the mission. Please be ready to serve in 2024 when the invitation comes.
I am excited to be your pastor and to work with you in building up the Body of Christ right here in Maple Shade and beyond. I think 2024 is going to be great!
Yours in the Lord,
Fr. Joel
