"Honor the Past, Protect the Future"

Dear Parishioners:
With this letter I am introducing our upcoming Capital Campaign entitled “Honor  the Past - Protect the Future”.  I know this letter will touch your hearts for while the signatures are mine and Monsignor Carroll’s, the words are yours.  They are words that speak of love and attention for your spiritual home and words that express a deep interest in her well being.  Please allow me to share just a few of these words:

“Father, shouldn’t something be done about the entryway by the cemetery before it gets too bad to use?  Also, the potholes are beginning to need serious attention”
“Is the storeroom behind the church kitchen still leaking?  Maybe the roof should be looked at – it is probably 20 years old by now.”
 “Fr. Steve, you’ll never guess what happened.  The air conditioning completely failed the day of graduation.”
“Shouldn’t we improve safety for the down hill walk to the office entrance; something to hold on to perhaps?”  

Much has been done since the inception of our Parish in 1961 through today and much remains to be done – hence the title of our Campaign.  Our "new" Church is no longer new….it will be 20 years old in 2025.  Our school building has been in constant use since it was built and expanded several times.  The rectory/parish office was originally built by Henry Miller in 1925, our magnificent Chapel is 70 years old and the other buildings are of the same vintage. In the following pages you will find a list of critical projects around our 80 acre property - all of which need to be addressed in the immediate or not too distant future.  

We have a rich history of worship, prayer, evangelization, and service to our broad Kinnelon/Butler community.  We have shared most of life’s important moments together, both the joyful and the sad for 63 years.  I know this letter will reach your hearts because they are your words of love and gratitude.  I know this Parish will nourish the hearts of generations to come because of you.  We will bless, we will baptize, catechize, grieve and rejoice - we will be a place of encounter with God and each other in so many ways into a future still a long way off.  
Thank You and God Bless.
We remain yours in Christ,
 
Fr. Steve Shadwell                                                                         Msgr. J Carroll
Pastor                                                                                                  Pastor Emeritus