NEWS FROM THE PEWS

SCAMS:  I have been told by several folks that there is a phishing scam out there.  For most of you, this will not happen unless you are connected with an event or group at Saint Pius that appears in our bulletin or on our website.  The scam artists have a great way to harvest contact information from digital documents and then send messages that have my name attached to them, but if you look at the address, it comes from a strange address not connected to Saint Pius.  So, please, do not fall for this scam.  I will not ask you for favors that require you to purchase gift cards or anything of the like.  I won't ask you to send money anywhere--even Ghana!  I won't ask for something at odd times for one individual.  I will use proper grammar and will sign off in my typical style.  Please send me an email to my Saint Pius address if you have questions.  But when it doubt, toss it out!

PREACHING THE GOSPEL MESSAGE: During Lent Father Daniel, the deacons and I attempted to share with you the basic core teaching of the Church.  We followed a pattern designed by Father John Riccardo of the ACTS XXIX group called "The Rescue Project."  If you would like to see more about it, please go the actsxxix.org for more or if you want a refresher.  You can also check out our SPX YOUTUBE channel that has videos of our past 9 AM Masses.  (https://www.youtube.com/@StPiusXUrbandale/streams).  

WHAT'S COMING UP: I have been spending time in between engagements recently praying and working on Saint Pius and our future.  With the first cycle of activities almost complete at this point, folks have asked where we are going.  The short answer is that  "We engage our Saint Pius family of disciples to live our mission (Love God. Love others. MAKE DISCIPLES.  Restore all things in Christ.) by utilizing the Genesis approach and  noticing our brother and sister, calling all by name and making Christ known to each person."  This is a very rough draft with a lot more needed to put flesh on it.  The Genesis approach follows the example God gives us in the first book of the Bible where He starts with nothing and slowly creates structures and then fills those structures with life.  For us this will start in a small group where people bring the reality of life, full of questions and chaos, and allow the questions and chaos to lead into an encounter with Jesus.   We have been piloting these small groups with the Pastoral Council this Spring, and as you have read, things have gone well.  More information will come over the summer.

LEADERSHIP COUNCILS:  Monthly I attempt to share with you what our Leadership Councils (Pastoral Council, Finance Council and School Council) have been up to and what is in the works.  In May, we will talking at all three of these Councils about what membership will look like in the coming year.  So, allow me to share ideal candidates and the selection process for each Leadership Council.  All Council members must be practicing Catholics in good standing with the Church and engaged in the life of Saint Pius.

Pastoral Council: The Pastoral Council is the main advisory group for any parish.  The PC seeks to plan for the pastoral needs of the community now and in the future.  The ideal candidate for this Council will have a broad view of the parish and be willing to seek the good of the whole community.  If you would like to recommend someone for the Council, please send Dr. Cheryl an email with contact information for the person.  We will have a conversation with the person to see if this would be a right fit, inviting that person to a meeting and then allowing the Holy Spirit to choose in the case of more candidates than positions.

Finance Council: The Code of Canon Law (the law of the Roman Catholic Church) states that each parish must have a Finance Council and states that members should have expertise in "accounting, business, finance, or law."  Finance Councils advise the Pastor on how to be the best stewards of God's blessings to the parish.  Finance Council members are appointed by the Pastor after consultation with the Business Manager.  

School Council: The School Council is a recent change to our parish structure.  With plans for regionalization in the works, the Bishop has transferred the School Board to the Diocesan Level so that all schools have the same policies and procedures.  The School Council functions on the parish level to advise the Pastor on living the mission through the ministry of the school.  Our School Council seeks to involve families enrolled in the school with the bigger life of the parish.  School Council members are appointed by the Pastor in consultation with the Principal.   

We have other committees and groups that meet as well which support the life of the parish.  In the coming months, we will find ways to highlight these groups and committees so that you can better appreciate how dynamic our parish community is.

PODCASTS:  Each night when the boys and I walk I often listen to different podcasts.  One of my current favorites is one produced in the Archdiocese of Omaha called "EQUIPCAST."  It is a series of interviews and discussions that are happening in the Archdiocese of Omaha on how to foster mature missionary discipleship.  I have also been listening to the ACTS XXIX podcast--in the first episodes Father Riccardo posts his preaching the Gospel message referenced above.  I share these with you, especially in light of the Council membership process to help you understand what I am finding exciting these days and being challenged by.

ALL SET FOR SUNDAY

This weekend Jesus reminds us that we are the branches attached to Him, the VINE.  The Father is the Vinekeeper who prunes and trims.  We are meant to produce fruit for the Father.  It will be good to reflect on how the Father is working on you.