In some recent pastor's columns I have paid tribute to a number of parishioners: Buddy Dixon, Lanny Mabus and former parishioner Jim Dyar. The last two of these men have died in the last month or so, and Buddy and his wife Martha have relocated to Houston, Texas. All of these men distinguished themselves in various way, including their service to the Lord at Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish. Today, I am going to devote this column to a current parishioner who recently was named by our Parish Council as our first VIP (Very Important Parishioner). Every two months we will acknowledge and give thanks to God for someone who has gone above and beyond in their commitment as a member of this wonderful parish. They will be given exclusive rights to a special parking spot in our large parking lot that is labeled, VIP. As their service not only benefits our parishioners but also me in my ministry, I may give them a gallon of my homemade ice cream (which many have said is a priceless treat).
Having said all that, I am happy to announce that Dave Witchger is our first VIP. Dave and his lovely wife, Kathleen, have been married for 50 years. They are long standing parishioners at Sacred Heart Church and have been extremely active, most often in "behind the scenes" ways. Dave is an active member of the Knights of Columbus Council 10208 and Fr. Victor A. Bieberle Assembly and also participates in the Men's Club. He has been chairman of the Finance and Administration Council in all of my time at Sacred Heart Church and before that when Msgr. Malone was pastor. There is not nearly enough room on this page to list all that Dave has helped to do in this parish for the people, the facilities and entire grounds of our parish, as well as the wise counsel he has given to Msgr. Malone and myself on many inportant administrative issues in our parish over the years. He is in charge of our volunteers who count the collections each week and is always there with each team of counters to see that things go smoothly. His service goes beyond our parish to his extensive involvement in Habitat for Humanity in helping to build homes for people in need of a decent place to live.
While supporting Kathleen in her activities with the Ladies of the Sacred Heart and in our Helping Hands ministry, Dave is always ready to support his fellow parishioners and me whenever a need arises. I am happy to recognize Dave's tireless efforts and the strong faith he has that I know is behind all that he has done and continues to do for Sacred Heart Parish. As someone who is still with us (both alive and still in the parish), I invite you to acknowledge and thank him on your own either through a personal encounter, by e-mail or post mail. I look forward to acknowledging and thanking future VIPs and your suggestions to me and Parish Council members for future recipients of this honor!
Having said all that, I am happy to announce that Dave Witchger is our first VIP. Dave and his lovely wife, Kathleen, have been married for 50 years. They are long standing parishioners at Sacred Heart Church and have been extremely active, most often in "behind the scenes" ways. Dave is an active member of the Knights of Columbus Council 10208 and Fr. Victor A. Bieberle Assembly and also participates in the Men's Club. He has been chairman of the Finance and Administration Council in all of my time at Sacred Heart Church and before that when Msgr. Malone was pastor. There is not nearly enough room on this page to list all that Dave has helped to do in this parish for the people, the facilities and entire grounds of our parish, as well as the wise counsel he has given to Msgr. Malone and myself on many inportant administrative issues in our parish over the years. He is in charge of our volunteers who count the collections each week and is always there with each team of counters to see that things go smoothly. His service goes beyond our parish to his extensive involvement in Habitat for Humanity in helping to build homes for people in need of a decent place to live. While supporting Kathleen in her activities with the Ladies of the Sacred Heart and in our Helping Hands ministry, Dave is always ready to support his fellow parishioners and me whenever a need arises. I am happy to recognize Dave's tireless efforts and the strong faith he has that I know is behind all that he has done and continues to do for Sacred Heart Parish. As someone who is still with us (both alive and still in the parish), I invite you to acknowledge and thank him on your own either through a personal encounter, by e-mail or post mail. I look forward to acknowledging and thanking future VIPs and your suggestions to me and Parish Council members for future recipients of this honor!