February 11, 2024

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

On Wednesday we begin the holy season of Lent in which we draw closer to the love of Jesus manifested by His willingness to suffer and die on the cross for our salvation. In addition to fasting on Ash Wednesday (you might want to celebrate Valentine’s Day on Tuesday—the traditional day to feast before Lent began) and Good Friday, we are called to abstain from meat (beef, chicken, pork) on Ash Wednesday and every Friday until Easter. The reason we do so is that these small sufferings remind us of how much Jesus suffered for each of us.

In addition, we are invited to strengthen the disciplines of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. This Lent consider spending extra time each day in prayer, maybe praying the stations of the cross (feel free to join us for Stations and Soup) or the sorrowful mysteries of the rosary or reading the Gospel accounts about Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem and all that happened through the time of His death. Fasting or giving up something strengthens our willpower just as exercise strengthens our muscles. The more we do so, the stronger our willpower will be when we are faced with temptations. Almsgiving (if you have not made your PSA gift, this is a great opportunity) allows us to share in the generosity of Jesus who gave Himself to us at the Last Supper and gave us His own mother to be our mother as he died on the cross.

These disciplines are to help us grow in the awareness of God’s love for us, to gain control over our passions and to be grateful for the blessings we have received. I hope you will take advantage of these wonderful disciplines.

In Christ,

Bishop Tim Freyer

February 4, 2024

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

A few years ago, I was visiting a family from one of my former parishes.  In the course of the conversation, they mentioned that they were very frustrated with the education that their children were receiving in the local public school.  The most recent incident was that after the Christmas vacation/winter break the teacher asked the students what the highlights of their vacation were.  My friends’ daughter started to say that she really enjoyed going to las posadas (the novena the nine days before Christmas in which we reenact Mary and Joseph looking for a place to stay in Bethlehem and being turned away, until finally someone lets them in).  The teacher cut her off and said that she can’t talk about religious things at school. 

My friends stated that they wished they could send their children to a Catholic school, but they knew they could not afford it. I asked if they knew that we have financial assistance through the Pastoral Services Appeal.  They did not, applied to the local Catholic school, and received the necessary financial assistance.  A year or two later, my friend told me about how their oldest son now reads the bible on his own, reminds the family that it is time to pray, and likes going to daily Mass.  This is all possible because you have generously given to the PSA.  I ask that you continue to support the PSA this year.  As I mentioned last week, we have a great deal of deferred maintenance on our church and restroom building ($42,000 in immediate repairs and $63,000 in the first year of deferred maintenance.)  Thank you for your generosity. 

In Christ,

Bishop Tim Freyer

January 28, 2024

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Thank you for your ongoing support of our parish through your donations to the collection as well as for your continuing generosity to our Pastoral Services Appeal (PSA).

A few years ago, I was speaking with our vocations director about a young man who was called to the priesthood. However, his parents were opposing his entry into the seminary. After a number of conversations, it turned out that the parents were afraid that they would not be able to afford the years of graduate school education for their son. When they were told that his seminary expenses were paid by the people of God through the PSA, they were relieved and delighted to support their son’s entry into the seminary. Your giving to the PSA over these past years saved a priestly vocation and is now benefiting many people through his ministry!

As we prepare for this year’s PSA, I ask that you prayerfully consider participating in the appeal. Our parish’s goal remains the same as the last couple of years: $241,000. These gifts are restricted to only those ministries listed in the PSA brochure or website. Everything we give above our goal comes back to us.

This year, we will direct the rebate toward capital expenses. At the request of the finance council, I had the diocese send us a company to assess our facilities (the diocese paid for the study). They identified $42,000 in immediate repairs and another $63,000 in the first year of long-term maintenance to be undertaken on the church and restroom building. (The school building is separate).

If you are ready to give now, please go to https://www.rcbo.org/psa-give-now/ to make your pledge or gift (Be sure to indicate St. Edward’s). I will also be with you the weekend of February 3-4 to help walk through the pledging process. Thank you for your prayerful consideration.

In Christ,

Bishop Tim Freyer