Many People Grew in Faith and Confidence at Our Lenten Mission

Many People Grew in Faith and Confidence at Our Lenten Mission

The enthusiasm and appreciation of all those participating in our St. Martha & St. Mary collaborative Lenten mission retreat this week was overflowing! This showed in the wonderful participation in the singing and prayers, as well as the number who came back for the second night and stayed afterward for the social downstairs. Thanks to all who planned, prepared, and participated in this event, including the special gathering of music ministers. We are so grateful to our mission speaker, Allison Gingras, for her wonderful message of encouragement to pray more freely, openly, and boldly – “casting all your worries upon Him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).  The combination of her faith, humor, and real-life situations really resonated with the people from our collaborative and beyond who came to be inspired in this centerpiece of our Lenten opportunities. If you missed it, want to experience it again, or would like to share it with others, you can find it on our PWC website and social media pages.


Thankful To Have Had This Borrowed Time…

In the fall of 2018, when the search committee and I agreed to hire Jillian Carelli for music ministry at St. Mary, we thought she might only stay for two years. At the time, Jillian was a young prodigy, still in college with plans to continue pursuing her music career in higher studies most likely out of state.  She was accepted into a graduate program in New York City, but she initially deferred and eventually relinquished that invitation – in part because of the pandemic, but also because she had truly become part of our collaborative parishes. Instead, she doubled down on her involvement here, taking on a second part time position as our Coordinator of Faith Formation for Youth, becoming a valued member of the Pastor’s Leadership Team, and volunteer involvement as co-chair of our Sunday Experience Team.

As much as I would love to keep her here, it is now time for Jillian to resume a more focused program to continue developing her exceptional, God-given gifts in music. By the end of June, Jillian will complete her extended time with us as St. Mary Director of Music Ministries and Coordinator of Faith Formation for Youth in both parishes. I have always assured her that we would support the fostering her musical career, even though eventually that would mean a loss for us. We are planning an opportunity in June to honor Jillian and her ministry here with us.

Thankfully we still have Jillian with us for Holy Week, Confirmations, and through the end of the ministry year. Likewise, our collaborative will continue to benefit from the dedicated ministry and musical gifts of our two long-term Music Directors, Anne DiSanto and Jeff Johnson. As of now, I intend to use our Easter bulletin to formally announce the two open positions (Music Director at St. Mary and FF/Youth), but please start thinking about anyone you know that might be a good fit.