Greetings from Fr. Dave

We are fully launched into 2019. May our friendship with Jesus be the solid ROCK on which everything throughout the year is anchored!
 
Over the holidays I met with both of our parish seminarians: Justin Echevarria and James Ladd. They were on retreat this past week in preparation for the winter/spring semester. Please continue to keep them in prayer as they continue their formation and preparation for ordination. Here’s their address if you wish to drop them a note of encouragement:
   

We had a follow up meeting with Washington County last week to get clarity on the Walker Road widening process. As we announced earlier, major work is planned on Walker that will impact our parish. On a positive note, the widening of Walker will include a signal light at the corner of Park Way and Walker, which will ease traffic after our weekend Masses.

Phase 1 of the project will include the Murray Road intersection and widening of Walker up to where our Food Closet is. It’ll have no impact on our buildings but will take some property. This will begin within the next couple of years.
 
The next phase is the one that really hits us and will require the demolition of our current office building. We are working with a land acquisition attorney and architect to assure the parish is well represented in this process. Phase 2 is slated to begin somewhere around 2022 or 2023. We will keep you posted as this unfolds, and typical of Holy Trinity, we are
choosing to be very proactive.
 

Finally, a January reminder to all, especially our elderly. It is vitally important that you make clear plans with your family on end-of-life decisions. Regularly we are interacting with families that end up divided or conflicted on what to do in the midst of a medical
emergency. I strongly encourage you to have an Advanced Directive made and shared with your family, and also to share your desires for funeral services. This is even more important if your family members are not actively practicing their faith.
 
I know these are difficult and sometimes awkward conversations to initiate, but it is worth the effort. And, I remind you, we are eager to offer the Anointing of the Sick before or after any of our Masses, and always have an opportunity as well right after the First Monday of the month daily Mass. This sacrament is designed to assist us in being well in body, mind, and spirit — and the goal is not to “get it” while on our death bed. Please ask anytime!
 
One more reminder while I am at it: if you know of any of our parishioners who are unable to get to Mass for whatever reason, let us know so we can arrange home communion for them. We have a wonderful group of home communion ministers that will gladly visit and bring the Eucharist!
 

This weekend, funeral services were held for Vern Newton. May his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed, rest in peace.