As I compose this pastor's column, I am preparing for the Mas of Resurrection for Tom Yerina, a longtime and very active parishioner who left hismark in our parish in many ways (look up my pastor's column on our website from December 11, 2022 as he was our VIP that month). I will then start preparations for the Mass of Resurrection for Carol Cruz, our longtime head sacristan who headed up that important ministry for both Msgr. Malone and myself for a total of 17 years. (She was one of our first VIPs along with her husband, Larry). It is these and so many people like them that make this parish so vibrant and so effective in its call to serve the Lord and fellow parish (family) members, as well as, others beyond our faith community. God rest their souls as we lift them up to the Lord and thank the Lord for the various ways they lived their faith in action, including marriages of over 60 years with their spouses (Martha with Tom, and Larry with Carol). I want to use the rest of this column to introduce to you two people who have stepped up to the plate recently in significant ways for our parishionersl Lou Ann Kemper has volunteered to take on theleadership of the faith formation for the youth of our parish. She is a relatively new parishioner who comes to us from Texas and has a degree in theology and a resume that includes being a Religious Education  Coordinator for a large parish. While, admittedly, our numbers of children and young people is small, Lou Ann is looking to get their families more connected to the whole parish in vaious ways that will bless all those involved. She is looking for some good people to help in vaious ways throughout the school year. So please give her a call (501-922-2062 ext 11) and let her know of your desire to help in some way or ways. Thanks to Lou Ann for what she has committed to do for us. Deb Troxel has agreed to be our parish point person for our parish participation in the Eucharist Revival that's going on throughout our country. Deb is a certified spiritual director who has accepted (and still accepts) parishioners who desire spiritual direction. Call her at 515-240-6729 to find out more. She is also an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion at  Mass and is currently involved in the effort of CHI St Vincent to provide the Eucharist for Catholic patients. She is a faithful Eucharistic Adorer and covers more than a few hours most weeks as a substitute. Deb is also looking for help as she coordinates the effort to deepen all parishioners' appreciation of the HOly Eucharist, as well as, reaching out in various ways to non-practicing Catholics in our community. 

I am so grateful for both of these women and look forward to working with them and want to encourage all of us to join them and make this a team effort that will bear much fruit in the name of the Lord and for the glory of God!