How does one begin to say “Thank you?” Watching so many of you at St. Patrick Parish step up and volunteer to shepherd this community through a Fish Fry on Friday and the Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner on Sunday was truly awesome. After leaving here to go to Imperial in 2015, I remember regularly telling my Jefferson County Parish about the wonderful spirit of volunteerism and “buy-in” at St. Patrick, which manifests itself in weekends like the one we all just experienced. This Wentzville Parish truly is a very special place.

I feel like I have to give a few shout-outs, even though I know I will miss many very important people. Rita Molitor, thanks for taking the lead along with your family; you all do incredible work. Valerie Langford, thanks for running around campus all day, making everything happen. Wayne Stoehner, I think your truck was on campus the whole darn weekend, even through the midst of the winds whipping up on Friday night. Greg Lippert, you were always there, too. Kathy O’Donnell and Pat Schwent, you worked for days preparing slaw for Friday, starting on Wednesday and doing absolutely everything you do for Corned Beef and Cabbage. To the army of people peeling potatoes and carrots on Saturday and to all the men “kettle cooking” the corned beef at the Schroeder Family Farm on Saturday, thank you. This is just a partial list of people to thank. Dee Kelly and Janie Bickham, when I walked into the Social Hall and saw you both hosting on Sunday, it warmed my heart. To our money counters,  Sarah Norton and Cyndi and Bob Barclay, thank you. To all the Knights of Columbus, this is the Council in the Archdiocese of St. Louis. And to all the other countless volunteers whom I have failed to mention, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

As we continue to journey through Lent, let’s truly and intentionally pray for one another. The Catholic Church is the living, breathing Body of Christ. As part of your individual journeys, I encourage each of you to make a good confession during these Lenten days. At St. Patrick, we offer the Sacrament of Confession on Monday evenings from 5-6 p.m.; on Wednesday mornings at 7 a.m.; on Thursday evenings from 5-6 p.m.; and on Saturday evenings from 4-5 p.m. May God bless you and keep you!

Yours in Christ,