From the Rector: Special Collections

The Catholic Relief Services Collection

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The weekend of May 20-21, 2017, our diocese will be taking up The Catholic Relief Services Collection (CRSC). By participating in this collection, you are responding to Jesus in disguise in some of the most marginalized communities in our world. The CRSC provides services for immigrants, humanitarian aid in the wake of natural disasters, refuge for the displaced, and advocacy for peace and justice around the world. Let us join together in this collection to support those suffering and on the margins of society.

For example, in Niger, changes in climate in western Africa are adversely affecting poor and rural farmers. No matter how hard these farmers work, droughts are shortening the rainy season, leaving harvests too small to support families and communities. Your support of the CRSC is helping connect businesses that provide drought-resistant seeds to these  communities. These new relationships are providing hope to these communities for a sustainable future.

Your support of this collection makes a difference for so many around the world. Please prayerfully consider how you can support the collection this year. If you want to learn more about the collection and the who benefit, please visit www.usccb.org/catholic-relief. Support the collection and answer the know of Jesus in disguise.

Sincerely yours in Christ,
The Most Rev. James S. Wall
Bishop of Gallup

Special Collection for the Building Maintenance Fund

Several months ago our parish Finance Council discussed and approved a plan to begin a quarterly Building Fund collection to help with the ordinary maintenance expenses of our buildings, as well as to build up our resources for repairs or major expenses that inevitably occur in older buildings.  We will distribute envelopes in the pews and leave them in the entrance of the Cathedral.  The first of the Building Fund collections will take place on the weekend of May 27th and 28th. Your generosity is very much appreciated.

One project we’ve been putting off that we will need to address at some point in the not too distant future is the floor tiles in the Cathedral Church. The tile has obviously cracked and lifted over time, and will need to be replaced especially in the Sanctuary. We will also take some guidance from the newly formed Diocesan Building Committee to help us with this project.

Also, as most of you know, the parish property on Aztec Blvd which housed the Lowe’s Grocery store has been closed due to safety concerns about the building.  We are currently having the building evaluated by engineers to determine what must be done to correct the reported problems. As of now there is still a lease in place with Lowe’s and although they have vacated the property, there have not been any new developments to report. This property has been a reliable source of income for the parish for many years, so it is important that we work hard to keep it as a productive asset of the parish. As more information becomes available we will keep you updated.

Fr. Keller