Posted on July 31, 2016 View all news
Laudetur Jesus Christus! Gelobt sei Jesus Christus! Sia lodato Gesù Cristo! Praised be Jesus Christ!
This week we find several things new around Old St. Mary’s. First we see new and higher scaffolding around our bell tower. This is necessary to begin the work to repair the sand stone that has been cracking. The work will take a few weeks. Houston Brothers Waterproofing will be doing the repairs, so please keep them in your prayers as they undertake this job. The total cost for this repair is around $100,000. This was necessary to ensure the stability of the bell tower, as well as the safety of those who walk on the sidewalk. If you would like to donate to help defray the costs of the repair, and several of our major capital improvement projects, please contact the parish office.
Our next major project is to replace our leaky roof, which will cost around the same amount as the bell tower. These are expensive repairs, but necessary repairs to ensure that Old St. Mary Parish continues for future generations. A few more minor projects we are currently investigating is replacing our sound system, cleaning up the back hall way of the Church, and adding a second handicapped ramp at the side door of the Church. We are completing a sacristy project, which gave us more storage. Please continue to support Old St. Mary’s financially and morally, so that we can keep this historic gem as a worthy place of worship for Almighty God.
The bulletin is slightly re-arranged this week, with the weekly offering being moved to this page. I hope this extra space for the financial report will enable us to give a more complete look into our finances. Our yearly report is put out in September, but seeing where we are in relation to our weekly needs is important. Once a month I hope to put in a monthly report of the status of our yearly income and expenses. Old St. Mary’s is financially healthy, thanks to your support and generosity. I hope keeping you informed of where we are financially helps keep us financially stable and healthy.
Lastly, I am happy to announce that the Community-in-Formation has accepted a new member, Mr. Henry Hoffmann. Henry is 25 years old, and has completed two years of seminary formation already. He comes from Batavia, Ohio. Henry asked the Archbishop for permission to discern with us, and ultimately to join, and the Archbishop graciously gave him permission. Henry will be spending a year in house, studying the life of St. Philip Neri, the Congregation of the Oratory, and studying other essential things necessary to live the life of an Oratorian. He will be doing some work around Old St. Mary’s and Sacred Heart as well, to help keep both campuses clean and beautiful. Henry will formally enter into the novitiate on August 15 and will continue his seminary education next year. If all goes well, both he and Br. Brent will be ordained the same year (2021). This will give the Community, Old St. Mary’s, and Sacred Heart a very special year for continued growth, and the insurance of priests for well into the future. Please welcome Henry and please pray for continued vocations to the priesthood and the religious life, in particular to the Community-in-Formation and the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. Have a blessed week ahead!
