Annual Fund – 2019 Year-end Appeal
“We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly remembering before our God your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” Thessalonians 1:2-3
St. Paul and companions’ words of gratitude express my own as I think of this past year. As we move into this Christmas season, my heart is full of gratitude for all of you and the many ways you reveal Christ’s presence.
Before I arrived last fall, I couldn’t have imagined how much fun I would have as Pastor of St. Mary Student Parish. I smile and often think how blessed I am that God sent me here. This special community has embraced me from the very beginning, living out our mission of being a caring and supportive parish that welcomes everyone as Christ would. We are also a parish of missionaries, going to the peripheries to reveal God’s love and compassion to those most in need. Together we discover ways to bring Christ and His love and His mercy into our lives, our families, and our communities.
At St. Mary Student Parish, the future of the Catholic Church walks through our doors many times every day! I have seen many Campus Ministry Programs, but none can compare to our program here. Student-led Masses, retreats, Ig.nite, Small Church Communities, Alternative Spring Break service projects, St. Mary Internship and Mentorship Programs, Ignatian Spirituality offerings, and many more activities and programs exist because of your generosity.
The Annual Fund is our commitment to Campus Ministry and we need your help. St. Mary has not met its fundraising goals for the past few years. To help keep our Campus Ministry alive, I invite you to prayerfully consider what you and your family can offer this year to our Annual Fund. Know that we are deeply grateful for your support!
May this Christmas season fill you and your families with the peace, mercy, and love that Jesus offers all of us.
“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” 2 Corinthians 9:15
Sincerely in Our Lord Jesus Christ,
Rev. James Gartland, S.J.
Pastor