As you may know, over the past four plus years, we have enjoyed the presence of an organization of Catholic men in our parish that promotes charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism, viz., the Knights of Columbus. Last weekend, I participated in the 107th Annual Florida State Convention of the Knights of Columbus. There we elected the new state leadership for Florida’s 50,000 Knights; and Florida’s head Knight (District Deputy-elect Christopher Kernan) selected me to be the new State Chaplain for the next two years. I’m deeply honored by this selection, and awed by the prospects of having some additional responsibilities that this entails within this fine Catholic men’s organization.

The Knights of Columbus is the largest men’s organization of its kind in the Church and throughout the world. At the present time, I still hold the position of Palm Beach Diocesan Chaplain of the Knights and, as such, I invite the men of our parish, who are not yet a Knight of Columbus, to consider becoming one in order to help us all in building up the Body of Christ in our midst. There are membership forms available at most doors of the church, or just ask an usher to provide one for you. Several of them are Knights, too.

The Knights of Columbus is expanding its ministry in our parish by introducing and sponsoring a new chapter of the

Columbiettes (an auxiliary association of women, who will work hand-in-hand with the Knights, generally giving them

major support in their charitable, spiritual and social efforts). We have just installed our first set of officers and are welcoming new members. I extend congratulations to President Christine Herrnreiter, Vice President Audrey O’Reilly, Recording Secretary Kathi Mueller, Financial Secretary Denise Zupo, Treasurer Elaine Roehrig, and Sentinel JoAnn McCort. By the way, you don’t have to be married to a Knight to be a member of the Columbiettes.

I offer my thanks to Chris and Susan Grant for their past years of service as coordinators of the Altar Servers of St.

Vincent Ferrer.

They have provided excellent training and scheduling for our young altar servers in a seemingly thankless job (though no work for the Lord is really thankless). Their successors in these roles are John and Sharon Lynch, who took on this awesome responsibility a few weeks back. Our parish truly appreciates the hours of work involved in preparing our youngsters to enjoy the privilege of serving at God’s altar, and the time expended in coordinating the serving schedule.

With school closing for the summer this past Thursday, we thank and bid farewell to these teachers who will be “moving on to other pastures” next year: Sister Dorothy, Angela Gilbert-Garcia, Nancy Godden, William Grummer, Jeanine Mannweiler and Peggy Rabenstine. I’m grateful for the splendid efforts they made during their stay in advancing the growth of our students and the promoting the good name of our school. May God watch over them and bless them in their new settings. May our children, who have been taught to know, love and serve their God in this world, continue their faith formation by weekly attendance at Mass, especially with their families. They know there is NO vacation from God!

Next week, we will have the opportunity to bid a fond farewell to our weekend associate of many years, Monsignor Stephen Bosso. Monsignor has been a good friend ever since I came to Florida, and did a brilliant job in preaching my 40th anniversary Mass. His homilies were deep and reflective, yet very down-to-earth, and his personal involvement in our parish life, when he could afford to do so, was an additional gift to us. May he continue in that spirit in his new pastorate near Pensacola. I invite you to join us in a reception for him in our parish Family Life Center, immediately after the 11:30 AM Mass. Here is your chance to let him know how much you have appreciated the wonderful work he has done for our parish and our seminary.We will sorely miss him.

Also, at the end of this month, our new Parochial Vicar (Assistant Pastor) will arrive to assist me in ministering to our

parish. He has served these last few years as the “left hand” of his bishop (in his capacity as Vicar for Clergy); and his

bishop, with great reluctance, graciously has allowed him to come to serve in our diocese, for a time. It was two years

ago that I was promised additional help in the way of another Parochial Vicar, but at that time, because of an acute shortage of priests (until now), we were unable to secure the assistance of a full-time parish priest. Thank God, and your

prayers, for an increase in vocations, that three priests were ordained for our diocese this year.

For the past nineteen months, we had been fortunate to have in residence, Father Michael Parrotta, to help us with Confessions, Mass and other pastoral duties. Our new parish priest will assume these and additional duties as a full-time associate, along with Father Danis. We sincerely thank Father Michael for all his help, and wish him God’s choicest blessings and continued improved health in his new undertakings. Please continue to pray for your priests, and ask God to send more of them into His vineyard, for “the harvest is great, but the laborers are few.” Just another reminder: there is NO Saturday 7 AM Mass during the months of June, July and August.

Have a great summer, and stay close to Jesus!

Very Rev. Canon Tom