Last year we embarked on a three-year journey of reflection on our call to good stewardship – of how we can offer our time, our talents, and our treasure to the Lord. We were reminded of the fact that “Lord, it is good that we are here!” And truly, it is good that we are here at this wonderful parish.

This year, we reflect on the realities of a parish community, both in regard to each of us individually, as a whole parish family, and to the needs of the campus of our church. Over the last few years, we have been addressing the needs of our campus, and rebuilding as we are financially able, while recognizing the ever-growing times we are facing economically. We have been able to accomplish much, in great part by the means of grants, parish fundraisers, and the generosity of the diocese. 

In honor of this, and with great hope for the future, we begin our second leg of our Increased Offertory Program with the theme of “Rebuild My Church.” These words come to us from the life of St. Francis of Assisi. Before Francis formed the Franciscan Order, he – like many of us – did not know what to do with his life. One day, while walking in the countryside, he entered the church of San Damiano and knelt before the crucifix. The eyes of the Lord locked with his own, and he poured forth his heart before Jesus, asking, “Lord, what do you want me to do?” And Jesus responded, clear as day, “Francis, go and rebuild my church which, as you see, is falling down.” Francis, at first, took this as a call to physically rebuild the church of San Damiano and only later realized that this invitation was a call to spiritually rebuild the Church which was filled with much confusion and heresy. 

As a parish family, we are called to renew and deepen our encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist, so that we may be transformed in Christ and, in turn, proclaim the Gospel with love in our community, and in this way, we participate in rebuilding the Church. 

Thank you for your faithful service and previous generous support of our parish community and the mission of the Church. I invite you to prayerfully consider how you can renew your commitment to financially support our parish through our “Rebuild My Church” program. Your sacrificial giving allows us to serve one another and make Christ present for our community, including when they celebrate, when they question, when they grieve, when they seek, when they feel called to serve, when they are lonely, and when they need prayer. 

As we strive to follow Christ more each day, we participate in the rebuilding of His Church – both spiritually and physically. In our call to stewardship, we give of ourselves in our time, our talent, and our treasure, all of which ultimately belong to God so that we may participate in that call to spread the good news of our redemption. May God bless each of you and your families in this time, and may He continue to bless our Queen of Angels Family as well! 

To begin or update your online giving, please visit www.osvhub.com/queenofangelsfw/funds or look for the "Donate Now" Option under the <Donations> menu at the top of our home page.  For any questions about setting up an Online Giving account, please contact Desirée Hilger at 260-482-9411. Our Sunday Visitor’s website adheres to all banking security standards and allows the flexibility to make changes at any time.