Thank You, JoAnne Reeder

Feb 17

Letter from the Pastor
6th Sunday of Ordinary Time
February 19, 2023

I have a few things to share with you but first is the announcement that JoAnne Reeder, our Director of Worship, is retiring at the end of this month. JoAnne has been working for the Church for almost 59 years. In 1964, she began teaching 2nd grade and directing different choirs at St. Mary’s in Bordentown, NJ. Before arriving at St. Francis in 1981, she continued teaching the 2nd grade and sharing her gift of music in other parishes, including St. Peter’s in Point Pleasant where Steve Kluge was a member of her adult choir when he was in high school.

JoAnne began working at St. Francis as a part-time organist helping with the weekend Masses. Over time, part-time evolved into a full-time job and she became the Director of Music in 1984. When I arrived at St. Francis in 1996 for my first assignment, JoAnne was coordinating all the music, playing most of the Masses on weekends, as well as funerals, weddings, and other special liturgies. If you ever needed to find JoAnne, she was probably behind the organ in church. At that time, Fr. Bill Bried was the Director of Worship. After Fr. Bill left the parish, I stepped in until I was transferred in 2001. It was not long after that JoAnne was appointed the Director of Worship by Fr. Andrew, the pastor at the time.

We owe JoAnne a debt of gratitude for her long commitment as a minister in the Church and particularly for the 42 years that JoAnne served our community. She has served us very well! JoAnne, you have continued to be a great example of joyful service and of one who is truly dedicated to the church and the people of God. You have “served the Lord with gladness.” [Ps. 100:2]

Along with our thanks, our prayers and love remain with you. May God continue to bless you, JoAnne, with peace and all that is good.

A Few More Things to Share…

● As I mentioned in my letter last week, this weekend, the Diocese begins the 2023 Annual Catholic Appeal: We Are the Body of Christ. You will find pledge cards at the doors of the Church. On our parish website, we have posted Bishop O’Connell’s address to the diocese. With a grateful heart, he speaks of the importance of this appeal so that we can continue to be the Body of Christ for one another.

● Dinner with Friends! There is something new in our parish! Dinner with Friends is a group for widows and widowers gathering to share a meal, perhaps a few laughs, and certainly some good comradery. The adjustment to life without your partner is probably one of the hardest things anyone has to do. This is not a continuation of the grief counseling oﬀered through St. Francis Center but a time for people to come together, meet new friends, and know that you do not have to walk alone. The ﬁrst meeting will be Tuesday, Feb. 21st at 5:30 PM in the St. Francis Aquatic Center’s Pool Party Room. Please check the bulletin or our parish website for more details.

Finally, my apologies for last weekend’s letter. I am not exactly sure why but somehow the formatting got a bit shuﬄed on its way to the publisher and some words were even lost from the original copy. We will try our best to make sure that does not happen again.

Wishing you Peace and All Good.