When I was young, my mother often used the phrase tempus fugit “time flies”. It is a phrase that is so true, and as I have discovered becomes even more true as we age. In just a few days, I will have been with you here at St. Mary’s for three months already! Where has the time gone? I thought I’d use this marker of time as an occasion to provide a little update on things since my arrival on July 1 ^st.    
 
Let me first say just how grateful I am for your warm welcome here to St. Mary’s. Since the first day of my arrival with packed boxes and suitcases, I have found everyone I have met thus far to be supportive, encouraging and welcoming. It has made my transition from Guilford to here so much easier. I am grateful too for Fr. Matera’s great stewardship of this parish during his nine years as your pastor. He has done phenomenal work over these years in shepherding the parish through transition and growth, and a major building project which enhances the life of St. Mary’s. I thank him for his personal support of my coming here, and for assisting me with so many details to make my “taking over the reins” so smooth and seamless. We have a terrific staff and many superb volunteers who have helped me tremendously during these first three months.
 
With the rolling back of many of the COVID restrictions we’ve been living with this past year and a half, we are able to return to many of our regular activities. It is great to see so many of you returning to Sunday worship on a regular basis, and I thank you for cooperating in wearing masks while we are together in church for the safety and well-being of those around us, and for our little ones who are not yet eligible for the protection a vaccine may offer. St. Mary’s School is back in full swing and our Faith Formation program has begun for our youth. Many of our ministries and committees have resumed meeting in person as well. Of course, if you are still unable to return to activities in person due to health or other concerns, we honor and respect that, and invite you to join us wherever possible through livestreaming and virtual connections. If any needs arise, please don’t hesitate to contact us here at the office so that we may assist you in ways that we may be able.
 
The replacing of concrete sidewalks and steps is progressing nicely and we look forward the re-installation of the railings so that we may resume use of the main entrance of the church. That should happen shortly. In meeting with the Parish Council, we are excited about developing goals for the year ahead and for the longer term. In addition to building upon the wonderful ministry that is already occurring here, we are looking at the Archdiocesan Synod report for those areas where we may implement synod recommendations in our parish. We are also brainstorming ideas for increasing the involvement and engagement of all St. Mary’s members in our community and working to ensure that our youth are welcomed to participate more fully in parish life. We are seeking to renew our liturgical ministries, welcome new initiatives that express our parish mission, and discern how we may bring the Good News of our faith to bear in the community and world around us. These are just a few of our goals. Please feel free at any time to share your ideas for life here at St. Mary’s with our Parish Council, through our Parish Council page on the website, or by sending your comments to the parish office through traditional mail. While three months may have passed, I look forward to many good years ahead of working together with all of you here at St. Mary’s!