Our Chalices Overfloweth!

Aug 18

Letter from the Pastor
Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sunday, August 20, 2023

Our Chalices Overfloweth!

You have probably noticed that we are now using new communal chalices for the distribution of the Precious Blood at Masses. Fr. Andrew, with the help of some very generous benefactors, was able to purchase them for the parish in honor of these benefactors and his parents, Eugene and Helen Reitz.

These chalices are known as the Spencer Chalice and Connecticut handcrafters created this classic design with a satin finish pewter. Fr. Andrew ordered them from The Holy Rood Guild, a ministry of the St. Joseph’s Abby, in Spencer, MA. The Holy Rood Guild is world renown for their beautifully crafted liturgical vestments. Their monks view their work as an expression of their “Cistercian monastic life of prayer and praise.” Thank you, Fr. Andrew!

A number of you have stopped me since last Saturday to tell me that they checked their phones because they were not sure why I didn’t call them after the drawing of the Progressive 50/50. I assured them that their phones were most likely fine. The winner of this year’s Progressive 50/50 hails from Surf City. Like last year, there was the typical last minute “run” of people buying their chance to win. The total increased all week but at 9:55 PM on Saturday night the grand total was $18,938. The luck winner was able to take home half of that … minus taxes, of course.

I would like to take this opportunity to once again thank all of the volunteers, employees, and the great committee for all of the work they put into this year’s Festival. Thank you, Thank you!

And thank you also those who were sponsors of the Festival of the Sea 2023. This year we had over 50 sponsors, from parishioners, to friends of St. Francis Parish, and some of our local business. Together they contributed just shy of $30,000 to this year’s Festival. Thank you one and all for your great generosity to St. Francis of Assisi Parish. The names of our sponsors are posted on our website.

We don’t have the final numbers yet for Festival but it was a banner year from day one. Every single night was better compared to 2021 and 2022. Unfortunately, Mother Nature interfered a bit and we had to cancel Thursday night’s Festival. Despite the loss of one night our gross revenue for the entire week was only down by $8,277 compared to last year. The “win” I see in that is the momentum is gaining. Now that we are moving the festival to July and will be using Campy’s Amusements I have no doubt that momentum will only increase.

I hope that we all continue to enjoy this beautiful summer and constantly give thanks to God for all the good He has created!

Blessings on you and your families with peace and all good.

Fr. Francis Di Spigno, OFM

Pastor