Holy Spirit Parish

Dear Holy Spirit Parish:                                                                  August 7, 2022 
         “Who then is the faithful and prudent steward whom the mater will put in charge…?”
                                                                                                    (Luke 12:42)

        Steward Noun A person who manages another's property or financial affairs.

This letter was written last Sunday just before I left on vacation.  As you read this I should be somewhere between my sisters house in Superior and my hermitage near Willard.  The week before I left was packed with important events.  We hired Natasha Enders as our new Coordinator of Liturgy and Director of Music, Leah, our new Faith Formation and Evangelization Director, and her husband Gregg officially joined the parish, Kid’s Closet moved into Kostka Hall, and our FOCUS Missionary team arrived!  If you were to ask Natasha, Leah, Tiffany, Jackie, Tessa or Anna why they have taken on the role they have, you would hear something like “God has entrusted me with gifts of his, and I want to please him by making good use of them.”  We have such a bright future ahead of us because of the presence of “faithful and prudent stewards.”

These newcomers to leadership at Holy Spirit join an amazing number of good stewards who have been serving for years.  We need only look at our beautiful new Ministry Center and renovated Church for evidence of the presence of many people who believe that what is in their possession is a gift God entrusted to them in the hopes they would do some good with it. It is hard to believe our five year “Building on a Firm Foundation” Capital Campaign is coming to an end this December.  It is simply astounding, when a typical home mortgage can be for 30 or 40 years, that in just five years the entire $4.5 million cost will be paid in full. Our master who put us in charge of his possessions must be very pleased.

Our work of taking care of what we have been entrusted with is not yet finished however.  The Church and Ministry Center are now in tip top shape.  The rectory has been readied for service again.  But our school building remains in need of significant attention.  The school roof is already five years beyond its life expectancy.  That is also true of the boiler that heats it.  The most responsible thing we could do for the environment in our parish is replace all of the lights in the school with energy efficient bulbs.  And there is extensive work needed on the radiator system. Along with these school needs, the old elevator that goes down to Kostka Hall has been repaired so many times that to make it reliable now would involve a complete rebuild.  Lastly there are things we did not included in the Ministry Center project because of cost.  Top on the list is using solar power to offset costs and environmental impact.

As you may have read in last week’s bulletin insert, the Diocesan Center in LaCrosse where the Ministry Offices are and where retired priests can live is in need of repair and updating. And Bishop Callahan would like to establish a Foundation for the diocese as many other Diocese have successfully done.

The Diocese is offering parishes professional assistance in addressing their parish needs in return for parishes assisting the diocese with its needs.  This parish-diocesan joint campaign is called “Inspired by the Spirit.” In August when I return I will begin making individual visits with potential donors.  In September another group of parish members will be invited to socials to learn about the campaign.  Then the first weekend of October the campaign will be presented to the whole parish.

Our school, the Child Development Center for the Pacelli Catholic School system, currently has a waiting list of 85 students.  It is a treasure, we have been entrusted with.  “Who is that wise and prudent steward the master will put in charge….?”   
        
Fr. Steve 

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