It’s the second week of June already and early summer is with us. The trees and flowers are lush and beautiful as I look out my rectory window – such a contrast from a few short months ago! Vacation was relaxing and Abby was of course thrilled to see me when I arrived home. Her greeting is much more understated than Fr. Bob’s Honey, but that’s not always a bad thing!!!

I continue to feel deep gratitude for all your generosity toward the painting and restoration fund. We are at $120,821 and moving along toward our goal! The work on the church should commence soon. Now that I am home I will receive an update and we will move ahead.

I thank you also for your continued patience with the lack of parking for weekends. At the rate with which the construction company is working, I am confident our new parking lot will be complete within the next few weeks. Last weekend, we were able to open a small portion of the lot where the grammar school was. However, that is a week by week decision by the contractor. Helena, our business manager, has been working tirelessly with them to continually get us more parking.

This weekend, Jesus uses an image from nature in the Gospel reading to help us understand the power of faith. He talks about the mustard seed being the smallest of seeds and yet it grows into a shrub large enough for birds to nest in. Even the smallest amount of faith, therefore, can impact our lives tremendously. We thank God for the gift of faith and pray that we will continue to nurture that each day.