A Word from Your Pastor - July 19

Dear Parishioners:

The 2015 St. Timothy Festival is now history.  The dates are set for next year:  July 8-9, 2016.  Put it on your calendar and begin a countdown!  What did you notice about this year that can be improved?  What did you enjoy that needs to be repeated?  How will you and your family take up a greater responsibility for the Mission of the Church during Festival time – Welcome, Hospitality and Discipleship?

Personally, what I noticed is that we attracted a lot of young people, high school age, who were gathered in groups all around the property.  They traveled with each other almost like swarms of bees, or in gatherings resembling beehives, with several always together and one or the other moving away and back again (usually with something sweet).  Are there new ways we could engage them?  From time to time, I teased them asking if they had a ticket for being able to stand on that patch of grass or to sit on the edge of the sidewalk.  The little ones were engaged (always with Mom or Dad, or Grandma or Grandpa) with the rides and with the Kiddie Kingdom.  Grown-ups were comfortable at tables or standing in smaller groups, eating and drinking, visiting with friends they see only at the Festival.  As Pastor, I wandered around through the property all night on both days.  You can see my pictures to prove it on Shutterfly (620 this year!): 

            https://sttimothyfestivals.shutterfly.com/3305.  Enjoy!

Many from beyond our community come to join us for the Festival.  Not a few have told me that they really like ours the best because of the family atmosphere and what we have to offer – something for everybody.  We have something special at St. Timothy.  I offer a word of thanks to all who made it possible and I invite everyone to reflect on the accomplishment with an eye to making it even better.

As the Summer continues, we are beginning to address the areas highlighted for planning.  The Amazing Parish effort calls us to open our eyes to see what is truly unique about our parish.  What is God doing among us that is not just for our benefit?  What has been entrusted to us for the sake of those who are entrusted to us as a Parish?  Our neighborhood is the field of our action.  Who in that field is waiting for us to draw them in?  Beyond the local area, we are also charged to keep in mind the Diocese of Columbus (our local Church) and the Universal Church, which embraces the world.  What aspect of the Gospel are we supposed to highlight so that others may come to know its Truth?