Our Gospel this weekend recounts to us a familiar story, the miraculous changing of water into wine by Jesus at the wedding feast atCana, in Galilee.
This beautiful story in Saint John's Gospel is significant for many reasons. First of all, it is the first miracle that Jesus per formed, makingit the first time that he revealed his glory as God (it is for this reason that we consider this event one of his "epiphanies" or first manifestations as God, along with the visit of the Magi to the manger and the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist in the Jordan River). It is also significantbecause it took place at a wedding, thus making holy the institution of marriage, and foreshadowing, for us as Catholics, the holy Sacrament of Matrimony. It is also significant because it is the very last time, in any of the gospels, that Mary, the Mother of Jesus speaks. What she says, however, is especially important for us who believe: "Do whatever he tells you," reminding us that, ifwe follow Jesus, and constantly listen for hisvoice speaking within our hearts, we can never go astray.
I have reflected often on the simple and ordh1ary way in which Jesus carries out this important miracle. He shnply tells the waiters to fill the large stone jars with water. He doesn't bless the water, he doesn't say a prayer over them, and, for all we know, he isn't even near these water vessels. He simply tells the waiters to fill them, and when they bring the water to headwaiter to taste, he realizes that, not only has the water beenturned into wine, but it has been turned into the best of wine.
I believe that this story has great significance for us, especially as we, as a Church, begin our season of winter Ordinary Thne. Just as Jesus works this miracle in such a simple, yet profound, way for this couple at their wedding feast, so does he work simple, yet profound, miracles in all of our lives. It is an important part of our discipleship to open the eyes of our hearts, so that we can experience these miracles, and thus encounter our crucified and risen Lord as he manifests himself to us each day. This can sometimes be a chal lenge, especially as we face the difficulties and trials of life, but it is absolutely necessary as we strive each day to grow in our relation ship with the One who blesses us, nurturesus, and loves us boundlessly.
You will find in this bulletin an insert with a letter from me and a financial report for the fiscal year spanoing July, 2020 through June,2021. I, in conjunction with the parish finance council, believe it is important that we update you regarding our financial status, and we willcontinue to do so moving forward on an annual basis.
This report reflects the fact that, despite many challenges, we are in a good fmancial position as a parish, and I am happy to report thatour financial health continues to steadily improve. Your generosity, especially in the Sunday offertory each week, is vital to our financial sustainability, and I am grateful that so many of you make your weekly sacrificial contribution a priority. I am grateful as wellthatsomanycontributedsignificantlytoourSaint TimothyStewardshipRestoration Appeal, thus assisting us in raising over $85,000, all of which assisted us to catch up on some important maintenance projects, which otherwise we would never have been able to do (including the repair and restoration of the exterior doors of the church, the repaving of the large parking lot, and the repair and repainting of the upper church sanctuary). I am also grateful that several folks remembered us in their wills, leaving us bequests that have significantly assisted usfinancially in many ways, both for the present and for the future.
I am happy to report to you, as well, that we have achieved an important goal of mine: Blessed Trinity School is now complete ly financially independent from Saint Thnothy Parish and from the other parishes who send children to our school. Our school is pres ently in a very strong financial position, allowing us to discontinue the subsidy of the parish(es) to the school (you will recall the fact that, for many years, much of our parish's fmancial resources were used to keep Saint Timothy and, later, Blessed Trinity School sus tainable). This is truly a great achievement,and it was a goal that was reached along with a strong student enrollment and the dedication of a phenomenal administration andfaculty.
We still have our challenges, the principal one being the fact that our parish population continues to decrease, thus decreasing ourrevenue, and the fact that a large percentage of our registered parishioners/households do not support the parish financially. While trying our best to address these issues, I ask you to read my letter and the financial report carefully, especially since our successes and our achievements faroutweigh these challenges.
I would once again be remiss if! didn't publically thank Tom Sullivan, our parish business manager. Tom's hard work, organi zational skills, and financial acumen has had much to do with our financial success. Tom, as well as Lex Nugent, Anrunarie Haag, and the members of ourfinance council, deserves our praise and gratitude.
Know that you and those you love are daily remembered in my Mass and my prayers.