Weekend of October 2-3, 2021

Dear Friends,

            As we transition this weekend into October (and officially move from summer into autumn), I am reminded that at this time of year we celebrate liturgically many great feasts. On September 29^th, we remember the archangels: Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, the great messengers and defenders of God and protectors of humanity, especially against the forces of evil. On September 30^th, we commemorate Saint Jerome, the lover and teacher of Sacred Scripture, who shared so much of his knowledge of Scripture with the Church through the ages. On October 1^st, we celebrate Saint Therese of the Child Jesus (the Little Flower), whose “little way” and simple awareness of God’s love for her have encouraged millions to imitate her example. On October 2^nd, we observe the feast of the Guardian Angels, those living spirits who guide us in the ways of God during our earthly sojourn. On October 4^th, we celebrate the great Saint Francis of Assisi, who received the mandate from the Lord to “rebuild my Church,” and is such a great role-model for us today as we strive to rebuild and reshape the Church in the image of Jesus in our present day. How blest we are in the friendship we share with the saints, as well as in their intercession for us!

            I want to update you on the work we have had done recently around the parish property. You know already that we had the exterior doors of the church repaired and refinished. As you can see, they look (and operate!) like new. Altogether, we had twelve doors (or six pairs) repaired and refinished. This project cost a total of $47,300, which was, thanks be to God, well below our initial projection. Most of you saw last week and this week the fact that we had the big parking lot repaved (i.e., the lot between the church and the school). This desperately needed to be re-done, and the owner of the company who did it offered us an outstanding deal. The total cost of this project was $85,000, which is well below what this type of job would normally cost. We are also at this time in the process of getting bids for the work that needs to be completed in the upper church altar area (repairing and redecorating the ceiling right above the main altar, and getting the entire sanctuary repainted). You will be hearing more about this project in the coming weeks, since my goal is to get this completed in time for Christmas.

            In the campaign we conducted last year to complete some of these capital projects, we raised, through your great generosity, almost $80,000 ($78,000 to be exact). These monies, along with the income from three very generous bequests which were left to us from three parishioners who remembered the parish in their wills, allowed us to complete all of this very necessary work.

            You know that we have very large and very old buildings that make up our parish plant. I am not exaggerating when I tell you that every single day issues arise in these buildings, whether they be leaks or other plumbing issues, electrical problems, crises with the boilers or the church air conditioner, or whatever. For our facilities staff, our business manager, and myself, these building issues can sometimes be overwhelming. However, I, more often than not, remember the great blessing we have in these beautiful buildings, which really are the legacy left by the priests and parishioners who built them, to us and to the generations that will follow us. I also remember the fact that you, the faithful parishioners of Saint Timothy’s, through your boundless generosity, make it possible for us to continue to repair, upkeep and beautify these buildings, so that we and those who come after us may continue to use them and enjoy them. Once again, I say to you, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! 

            Another project that we are working on is the Shrine to Saint Joseph, which will be located on the rectory lawn, facing the church, where the large wooden cross is now placed. As I already mentioned to you, around this beautiful shrine will be a brick memorial garden, where you will be able to purchase bricks in memory of or in honor of your loved ones. We are in the process of working on this, with a goal of having this, also, completed by Christmas. Again, you will be hearing more about this project in the coming weeks.

Know that you and those you love are daily remembered in my Mass and my prayers.

                                                                                    Love and prayers,
                                                                                    Father Olivere