President's Message July 2025
Teachers in Heaven were smiling when Trish Cronin told us June 18 that the words of Matthew 5: 14-16 were her guide in high school. How many times have we been told not to place our light under a basket, but to let it shine? God has given us all talents, and we are designed to use them in His world. She had more to tell us, time was tight. Her slides are accessible on the Monthly Meeting Highlights page. Chat with her about the full story, including the “God wink” of how The Children’s Kindness Network found her.
Thinking of school reminds me of “active” vs. “passive” verbs. Living for Christ in the world takes action. We decide whether it is a conscious, educated activity, or a passive waiting for the end. I recognize “action” is interpreted variously. I had a priest wonder aloud about a friend of mine who “seems to be busy in all manner of activities”. Was he concerned she was not focusing and delivering well in a fewer number? I loved the badge structure in Girl Scouting, both for myself and our daughter’s troop. We “tasted” a smorgasbord of life’s offerings and delved deeper when an interest was piqued.
The member interest survey is looking for what interests more members. Will you tell us your interests? Please click here - https://forms.gle/PzAVTbTdkFpBprdz6. This is not the largely ignored survey from before Christmas.
We tried a new venue for June and received positive reviews for Dalt’s American Grill. I expect we will return. We are having an outing and group lunch in July to test another interest area – seeing a social service organization in action. Many of us have served Room in the Inn clients at our own parishes. The portfolio of activities is much broader than winter month sheltering. See here. In July, on TUESDAY, July 15, we are invited to a guided tour of the residential and educational services. Social Action Chair Lisa Link has organized this. And many of us will gather for lunch at 11:30 at The Cookery. It would be most helpful if you would commit and register for July 15 today. We will send parking / carpooling information to those who register. We will pay individually for our lunches.
We heard about baskets from the altar for the Feast of Corpus Christi. Twelve baskets of food were left over after Jesus blessed the five fishes and two loaves. Did Christ create additional fish and bread, or did His inspiration open the supplies folks had in their garments? We are being invited to multiply the funds for Catholic schools. We are being asked to invite donations from a multitude. Yes, we are asking you to express your appreciation of Catholic education by asking for donations from everyone who might say yes. We don’t know until we ask. Who is emptying treasures from a parent’s home? What luxury spa emporium wants broader marketing? What mobile pet grooming company wants to be seen in more neighborhoods? Remember, straight cash donations of all sizes are welcome. Despite aging, I continue to learn, this time about financial requirements – Required Minimum Distributions. You may have friends with this requirement. We’ll take it! Let’s not wait for Nov. 6 to arrive and have only five fish and two loaves. Let’s open our minds to this blessed effort.
I want to thank the board members who are working hard for us. We have a skeleton crew, and would welcome additional members.
May God bless us all,
Patricia M.
