Can you believe that we are into February already? For me, this usually means two things.

First of all it means that the diocesan Annual Appeal takes place. One of the characteristics of the Catholic Church is that we are integrally interconnected with other Catholics. Our parish community is not an autonomous body. We are part of a larger group we know as a diocese. We might call it our extended family. Though we may not know many of them, they are still very much a part of who we are. The Bishop is the visible reminder for us of this unity within our diocese and with the global church. He is the link that connects us as Catholics with other Catholics throughout the world.

Each year we are invited to support the work of this extended family, our diocese. Our prayers and financial support enables us to do things on a larger scale that we cannot do on our own.

· Through our financial gifts we provide the opportunity for shut-ins to experience Eucharist;

· Through our financial gifts we in turn receive remuneration for our faith formation    programs and St. Francis Xavier School;

· Through our financial gifts we are able to benefit from diocesan efforts to prepare couples for marriage.

These are just some of the ways in which the Annual Appeal helps us. I invite you to join me in being as generous as you can in supporting the Annual Appeal.

Usually during February I take some vacation time. This year four of us priests are travelling together for some time of relaxation. These four priests I call my closest priest friends. One of them I have known since our freshman year in high school. The other two I have known since my junior year in college. Three of us were ordained in the same year, 1976, and one the following year. It is always a good time when we travel together. So, I will be gone from this Sunday afternoon through next week Monday.

Fr. Tim