Pastoral Council Elections

For anyone here who may not know me my name is Ron Bonaminio and I am a life long member of this of church we call home and where we come to worship our Lord.

As many of you know our parish community is aging.

So many of the folks who have given of their time and talent have passed on or can no longer actively participate in the capacity of which they are accustom.

Thankfully through the ideals and efforts of so many before us, this loving parish has prospered through the years.

In Saint Paul's letter to the Romans; Chapter12 verse 11

Paul said, “work hard and do not be lazy, serve the Lord with a heart full of devotion.”

I am here to ask you to give of yourself and pick up where others have left off.

We have not had an election for Pastoral council at St. Paul for some years. Thats not good.

Sadly we even have had difficulty getting folks to volunteer to be appointed.

THAT NEEDS TO CHANGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WE NEED an election, which means we need at least 10 to 12 parishioners to vie for the upcoming 6 vacancies.

Now what I am requesting is for new blood, folks who are not currently involved in a St.. Paul ministry or never had. However we ask all parishioners to consider serving on council.

Elections are healthy, they bring a new spirit to the table, new energy, and a host of new ideals.

What does a seat on pastoral council require. We meet once a month, nine times a year.

The council consists of committees on worship, religious education and formation, and building.

The meetings last 50 to 60 minutes and occasionally if there are issues of significant importance, maybe an hour and fifteen minutes to an hour and a half. THATS IT!!!

The work we do is important. Everyone here benefits!

The church cannot operate on its own. Let me repeat that. The church cannot operate on its own.

It is not self-cleaning, self-maintaining, nor self-governing--

Yet, every day, without fail, she is here, clean, warm, embracing, ALIVE! welcoming all those who come through her doors.

Stepping up to participate in the life of this church will bring a smile to the face of our patron Saint, the Apostle Paul.

You know, Paul is credited for the origin of Christianity and its growth. And one of Saint Paul's main themes in all his preaching was community.

Let us honor his mission and as a community come together to sustain and perpetuate the life of this wonderful, wonderful house of God.

Throughout the gospels and the old testament as well, wealth is not always defined as money.

many times wealth is defined as a generosity in sharing the gifts God has given each one of us in time and talent. Let me repeat that. Throughout the gospels and the old testament as well,

“wealth is not always defined as money, many times wealth is defined as a generosity in sharing the gifts God has given each one of us in time and talent.”

So if you have an abundance of time, you have a wealth of time you can share.

Should you have a talent or professional skill, you have an abundance of wealth in talent and skill you can share.

Let me share with you what Saint Paul said of sharing;

In Saint Paul's 2^nd letter to the Corinthians, chapter 9, verses 12&13, “This service you perform not only meets the needs of God's people, but also produces an outpouring of gratitude to God. And because of the proof which this service of yours brings, many will give glory to God for your loyalty to the gospel of Christ, which you profess, and for your generosity in sharing with them and everyone else. Let us thank God for His priceless gift!”

So please consider this challenge, this request, this HOPE.

In the next 2 weeks should you be approached by a current member of pastoral council, please keep an open mind to their request of your consideration to run for a council position.

I thank you for your time, and may God continue to bless this loving community of Saint Paul parish.

Please feel free to call me with any questions and or concerns about possible candidacy for council.

Ron Bonaminio 490.6265 or ronbona2@gmail.com