In the world of professional sports it has been said over and over again that when a player who is known as an active and successful player on a previous team or teams joins a new team, even before they begin playing on a new team, his or her PRESENCE makes a positive impact on the team. I believe such can also be the case when people come into a parish with an active past in previous parishies. They can come to a new parish and their presence can, early on, make an impact that is felt by a few or many. Such is the case in people who have moved into this wonderful parish and certainly Deacon Gary Christoff and his wife, Doris (who moved here in December 2021). They made an almost immediate impact on me, and in a short time, others, by bringing their love for the Lord and His people to Sacred Heart Church from their previous experiences in Jefferson City, Missouri. When they started coming to daily Mass and revealed to me that Gary is a "senior" deacon from that diocese, both he and his wife of (almost 60 years) got involved beyond being a regular part of the 9:00 a.m. daily Mass community here and offering themselves as Eucharistic Ministers at that Mass. While indicating that he, in his "senior" status, did not want to resume serving as a deacon on the altar and preaching, he was open to doing other forms of mnistry that needed him. He too over the bereavement support ministry that provides a range of help immediately and ongoing to those in our  parish who have lost loved ones. He agreed to take turns with Deacon BJ in providing a monthly prayer service a Samaritan Ministries in Hot Springs before other members of our parish serve a meal to the homeless men who reside there. He and Doris became Eucharistic Adorers, with Deacon Gary taking on one of the latenight hours and Doris an evening adorer and now a co-division leader of the evening adoration hours. Gary became and is an active member of our Knights of Columbus and the Men's Club and Doris is active in LOSH and serves as co-captain of St Monica's Guild. Doris has been and still is an active participant in one of our physical fitness groups and recently, Gary has joined her. (I hope other men and women will give this a try in the new year) Doris has gotten involved through her guild in tutoring at Mt Pine School. I hope you realize by now that the Christoffs, though members of our parish for a short time, have been chosen our VIPs (Very Important Parishioners) for the month of January. They are almost a daily presence here and have already made an impact on parishioners and people outside of the parish as well. They have endeared themselves to our parishioners and me and I know that will continue in the future. Thank the Lord and then them for who thay are in our parish family!