While I did have a number of topics that I felt needed to be covered in the pastor's column in the month of November, I decided to purposely wait for the weekend after "Thanksgiving" to do the column on our November VIPs, Mike and Chris Franz, because, like all our VIPs of the past and those of the future, I have many reasons to give thanks to God (and the Franz's) for all they have done and conitnue to do in our wonderful parish AND in the community at large. Before giving you their activities and ministries, I want to share where I see and appreciate them the most. For Mike it is his faithfulness in being an usher EVERY Saturday night. He and most, if not all of our ushers, are so dedicated in coming early before and staying late after our weekend Masses. Mike is always helpful to both parishioners and visitors alike who need something before Mass. Chris heads up our funeral liturgy bereavement ministry and is often the one in charge of helping the bereaved family set up the personal pictures and other personal items of their loved ones that are displayed in the Narthex before the funerals. She and the other ladies who help her, set up items that are needed for these special liturgies and assist the bereaved family in other ways before and after the funeral. Mike and Chris belonged for years to our Sacred Heart Bowling League and were pleasant to oppose or have as partners during their time in the league. Mike was also a coordinator for many years with the bowling that was part the "Blind Camp" that was held in our area and successfully recruited fellow parishioners (usually KNights) to help the blind bowlers bowl and have fun doing it. Mike has been a faithful Knight of our Council and Assembly ever since he and Chris moved to the Village about 18 years ago. He regularly helps his brother Knights in setting up the large American flags that adorn our campus on patriotic holidays. Mike has used his gifts to help build and/or repair such things as our baptismal font, the umbrella racks and the door to the chapel and made MANY crosses for the "Crosses for LIfe" and offers his truck to go and pick things up including donated items for our past "Treasure Sales". He has been a "Helping Hands" volunteer and has helped with church decorating at Christmas and preparing the food boxes for needy families at Christmas. Chris is an active member of the St Anthony Guild and the Ladies of the Sacred Heart and, in addition to what was said above,  rotates with other ladies to care for the fresh flowers around the altar area, is a sunshine card volunteer in Helping Hands, and assists in the making of "Tiny Angel Gowns" that are sent for patients in some of our local hospitals. Chris and Mike have both been active in the Animal Welfare League. As you can see, there are many people who have reason to thank God for the blessings received from the time, talnet and faith that the frantz's have so generously used for the benefit of others and for the glory of God. While the Franz's, after all these years in the Village and in our parish, question whether something they were told when they moved here is true, "stay active and you will stay young". They show themselves to still be young at heart and young in "the Spirit" to all who encounter them in their ministries/activities.