Fr Thomas
Dear Parishioners,
Greetings from Fr. Marco and Fr. Thomas, your new priests. As you are already aware that we started here in the new parishes known as North West Parishes of Racine (St. Paul, St. Rita, St. Louis, St. Mary by the Lake) on 18th June 2024. We are so happy to be with you as we begin the journey together. Let us entrust our joys and worries in to the hands of the Lord; for he loves us, cares for us and he knows what is best for us.
We would like to remember with gratitude Fr. Michael, Fr. Yamid, and Fr. Pat for their love and care for the parishes over the years. We pray that they will be blessed in their new ministries. We are grateful to Fr. Pat for his continued support.
St. Paul and St. Louis have been working together over the years and now we are a big family of four along with St. Rita and St. Mary by the Lake. All the parish communities are new to both Fr. Marco and me. It will take some time for us to know the communities with the number of masses and schedules we have. But we will try our best to place us everywhere in the best way possible. Thank you so much for your understanding.
Many of you are aware of the new collaboration from the previous communications and letters sent to you from the respective parishes. There is a big group having four representatives from each parishes working towards the collaboration details and subcommittees within the big group on different areas under the guidance of the Archdiocesan staff. Along with that we will have to meet with all the Trustees, pastoral councils, finance councils and the important areas of ministries to get their feedback. Since we start new it takes a little time to organize the meetings during this summer. We will do our best. Please know that no decision will be made without listening to you and the approval from the respective leadership teams. You may have many questions and concerns. You can bring them to the members of the leadership team from each parish. Their names have already been published in the bulletins and we will continue to do that periodically for your convenience.
Please give us some time to get situated and to have the meetings with the different groups. We know that everything is possible in him who strengthens us. (Philippians4:13)
Fr. Marco and I are here for you and please let us know your pastoral needs. We give priority for the pastoral care. We are here to serve you as best as possible.
Let us begin this journey as one family listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit that speaks to us in different ways.
Don’t lose hope and trust in Him.
Peace
Fr. Marco and Fr. Thomas
