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If the old adage “time flies when you are having fun” is true, I must be having a great deal of fun at St. Olaf, because the time is truly flying by. It is hard to believe that I am coming up on my second anniversary as pastor. Over the past couple of weeks, we have published information about the past year’s finances and offered opportunities to consider how you have been involved in supporting our mission as we prepare for our 2008 Parish Fund Appeal.

I am filled with gratitude for your continued dedication to our parish. Whether it be through your commitment to regular attendance at daily or weekend Masses, participation through the radio and television broadcasts of our liturgies, taking part in our areas of outreach or sharing in the variety of programs offered here, your involvement is a sign of your dedicated faithfulness to St. Olaf.

There is hardly a Sunday that goes by that I do not hear how wonderful and important our parish is and for that, each of us should feel grateful and responsible.

Our parish maintains a long tradition of ministry in the heart of the city. The variety of programs offered continues to grow and expand and our offerings bring a variety of people through our doors to encounter Jesus Christ. This work of outreach does not belong to any one person or group of people, but to our parish as a whole. Each of us brings something to the overall success of St. Olaf and it is essential that each one of us become involved in our mission.

As we look ahead to this year’s Parish Fund Appeal, I ask you to consider how you will participate in the financial aspect that is so necessary in our work downtown. I invite you to take an active role in this year’s appeal, especially if you have not done so in the past. All registered full and part-time members have already received information by mail as an initial guide to help you consider how you will take part in the 2008 Parish Fund Appeal. If you are not registered members, or have not received information, there are pledge cards and other information found throughout the complex and in the parish office.

By your pledge for the coming year, you show your commitment to the work of St. Olaf and our mission. A pledge not only shows your dedication to the parish, but it also allows the parish to plan accordingly as we look ahead to the coming calendar year and the ongoing work of the parish. Please take time to prayerfully consider how you will be able to take an active role in fulfilling our mission to serve as a living sign of Christ’s saving presence in the heart of the city.