Introduction

I am happy to introduce, to our parish, Mrs. Tricia DiChristofano who was recently as our Communication/Marketing Director. Tricia is a resident of Manhattan, IL where she lives with her husband and three grown children. She has worked in the Diocese of Joliet for seven years in a position similar to the one for which we have hired her. She has also served as a catechist for 10 years. Tricia’s most recent places of employment were at St. Mary Nativity and Holy Cross parishes in Joliet.

At these faith communities, Tricia undertook a wide array of pastoral tasks that included scheduling parish events, overseeing the recording of sacramental rites, scheduling Mass Intentions, designing the weekly bulletin, and activities that required marketing and publicity. She will undertake similar tasks as these here at St. Joan of Arc Parish in addition to others such as, planning parish events, coordinating the parish webpage, maintaining and implementing new communication vehicles and ensuring that our parish is kept visible to the local community. I know all of you will welcome her to our already wonderful parish staff.

Thank You

I am grateful to all those who have, thus far, contributed or pledged their support to our capital campaign, Cherishing Tradition, Creating Vision. The response from so many parishioners has been supportive and enthusiastic. I believe this is an indication of the love that the members of our community have for this place where they are nurtured in their faith and strengthened in their hope. I wish to remind everyone that the campaign Commitment weekend will be April 15/16. This will give those who have not yet made a pledge of either their time or treasure, yet another opportunity to do so. I am confident that with the professional direction we are receiving from Ms. Lorraine Klemz, the generosity of the members of St. Joan of Arc Church and School and, most of all, the help from Almighty God, that our efforts to repair and enhance our place of worship will be remarkable success.

Invitation

And finally, I invite all our parishioners to enter into these days if Holy Week with vibrant participation and eager faith. This week, above all others throughout the year, draws us into the great mysteries of our Christian faith when we not only recall the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus, but get immersed into the reality of these events in a profound sacramental way that makes them forever new. On Thursday evening we celebrate the gift of the Eucharist that Jesus gave us in his body and blood. On that Friday that we call “Good,” we unite ourselves with the death of Jesus as we embrace the mystery of the cross that marks each of our lives. Then on Easter Sunday, we rejoice in the Lord’s resurrection and recognize that this most sublime event in the history of the world, is one that awaits all of us who have been reborn into the life of the Trinity. Let us not deprive ourselves of the abundant meaning and grace that these days of Holy Week offer us. And as we prepare to participate in them, let us pray most ardently for all those who are preparing to be baptized and welcomed into the Christian faith.

May God bless us all as we join all people throughout the world who joyfully acclaim, JESUS CHRIST AS LORD.

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