Dear Parishioners,

Let me begin by saying that during my first 6 months here at St Patrick's, I have found the parish to be just what I was told; a loving warm family community.

With this first edition, I will begin a monthly Parish Update which will be published in the bulletin, sent via email to all Religious Education families and posted on the St Patrick's website ( www.StPatrickshm.org). I will continue to make myself available after Mass, at many Religious Education sessions and through the Parish Office (928-6027).

Parish outreach, evident in such projects as Angel Giving Tree, food pantry and Birthright donations, is astounding and exemplifies what Jesus spoke of in the Beatitudes and His commandment to love one another. These Corporal Works of Mercy obviously follow through on this commandment of Christ.

The sacrament of First Reconciliation held in January was a wonderful spiritual experience as the children realized for the first time the joy of God's love and forgiveness. I am looking forward to the spring, when these second graders receive their First Communion, and our eighth graders are Confirmed.

As you know, there has been a change in leadership of our Religious Education program. Our interim Coordinator of Religious Education, Marie Kiely, has stepped in and is thrilled to be working with such a dedicated group of catechists. Marie was the CRE in a former parish of mine and comes to us with 20+ years of experience. I am in the process of making plans for next year and will keep you informed of my decisions going forward.

I am working with a parishioner who is quite knowledgeable in the field of building security. Together we will ensure that our students, catechists and all parishioners can be confident that they are working, learning and praying in a secure environment.
Our recent Eucharistic Adoration in honor of the unborn was well attended and gave us the opportunity to spend some time in the presence of Christ and meditate on opening ourselves to his mercy. I'm looking forward to adding additional opportunities for worship in our church.

Our Making All Things New team is meeting regularly with our area Cluster parishes. In our meetings, it's become evident to me that we will be relying on the gifts and strengths of each other to not only strengthen our parish but also the community around us.

I am also looking forward to a renewal of ministries as I update training for our Altar Servers, Lectors and Eucharistic ministers so we may fully utilize the strengths of all the wonderful parishioners that serve in those ministries. During the season of Lent I am going to call upon all parishioners to offer their gifts if they feel they have a call to serve.

Lent offers us a time to reflect, forgive and heal. I have reached out to the Archdiocese with the hope that one of their representatives will come to St Patrick's to offer a healing/renewal Mass sometime during Lent. I am hopeful that this and my ongoing communication with you will allow our parish to prosper and continue to live out our Discipleship with Christ.

Yours in Christ,
Fr. Herbert T. DeGaris