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June 24, 2018It all began with a safari 22 years ago. A “Scripture Safari” here at St. Michael, to be exact! Back in 1996, I was a volunteer catechist in the elementary program here at the parish, and after the first phase of our church construction was complete, Juanita Walker, pastoral associate, asked me to organize the first Vacation Bible School here! So, off on “Safari” we went, and it has been an exciting journey ever since. I soon began assisting Juanita as the elementary faith formation coordinator, and in 2006, became the first Director of Faith Formation for our community. I am grateful to have served St. Michael parish under three pastors—Fr. John, Fr. Bob, and for the past 12 years, Fr. Dan. We have journeyed together through many stages and phases of growth, all the time assisted by hundreds of faith-filled volunteer catechists, ministry coordinators, parish faith formation staff, and families. You have inspired me with your dedication to and enthusiasm for bringing the children, teens, and adults of St. Michael into closer relationship with Jesus Christ and one another. I feel privileged to have walked alongside you, as we built a framework for faith formation here in our part of God’s world. Thank you to all of you!
Over the years, a prayer written by Archbishop Oscar Romero has encouraged me, as I thought about our mission, so I want to share it with you here:
We Are Prophets of a Future Not Our Own
It helps, now and then, to step back and take the long view.
The kingdom is not only beyond our efforts,
It is beyond our vision.
We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction of
the magnificent enterprise that is God’s work.
We plant seeds that one day will grow.
We water seeds already planted, knowing
that they hold future promise.
We cannot do everything
and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that.
This enables us to do something,
and to do it very well.
It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way,
an opportunity for God’s grace to enter and do the rest.
We may never see the end results,
but that is the difference between the master builder
and the worker.
We are workers, not master builders,
ministers, not messiahs.
We are prophets of a future not our own.
Also, I would like to express my gratitude to my family—my husband and two adult daughters—who have patiently supported me over the many years of my church ministry! Wow—its 2018 already! St. Michael is a thriving, welcoming parish, with much still remaining to be accomplished and celebrated together. I pray for the help of the Holy Spirit as our parish community moves into the future, building God’s kingdom here in Glen Allen and in the world!