Looking back at the weekly messages of Father Paul Counce, first published in The Carpenter, our weekly Parish Bulletin
Published: July 26, 2015
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
This weekend you can help the homeless by taking part in an initiative spearheaded by our Parish’s Social Responsibility Committee. We’re collecting small items which can be given to those who are homeless and in need: we’re thinking of things like small soaps, travel-sized toothpaste, mouthwash and deodorant, individually-packaged wet wipes, that sort of thing. Some have asked if they could provide “gently used” socks? Sure! As was mentioned at Mass last weekend, we don’t mind your being creative and surely the homeless won’t either: they are almost always grateful for any assistance we can offer! So THANK YOU for bringing these items with you to church this weekend – or dropping them by the Parish Office this week. God will richly bless you for your generosity.
Oh, by the way, while I’m on the subject of homeless persons and others who are in need: while we make every effort to offer this kind of assistance, especially in concert with the other downtown churches who help, particularly through the ministry of the Christian Outreach Center (which we all co-sponsor at 1427 Main Street), there’s one important thing to add. We never give out cash, and we forbid panhandling by anyone to visitors on our property. Christian charity is a hallmark of believers (see Mt 25:31-46 for the classic Biblical teaching on this), but so is common sense (see Titus 1:8 and 2:12 for St. Paul’s descriptions of sensible leadership, for example).
With less space available for my Bulletin column this week due to the monthly features published on pages 5 and 6, let me just mention one other important item regarding help to the needy, especially since this could be you one day!
Some years ago our Cathedral Parish Office began to be closed on Friday afternoons. At the time few people would call or stop by during those hours, and it allows our staff to begin the weekend early. This goes for Yours Truly, too, since often I’m finalizing a homily and putting together plans for a busy weekend of work. The one bad thing, we’ve discovered, is that as the 21st century goes along, more and more people are using email to correspond with the Parish Office rather than telephoning or stopping by. This is a good thing: we love the convenience of email, and they make record-keeping and searching for items much easier, too. But please remember: our office staff doesn’t work Friday afternoon or Saturday or Sunday, so weekend emails likely won’t be noticed until Monday morning! In case of a true emergency just telephone 225-387-5928 and then leave a voicemail at extension #9: I get these messages more quickly and will handle them appropriately just as soon as I can.
Sincerely in the Lord,
