{"id":8459,"date":"2025-02-07T12:26:43","date_gmt":"2025-02-07T17:26:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stjuliasilercity.org\/?p=8459"},"modified":"2025-02-07T12:27:28","modified_gmt":"2025-02-07T17:27:28","slug":"an_act_of_faith","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/stjuliasilercity.org\/en\/an_act_of_faith\/","title":{"rendered":"An Act of Faith in Many Ways \/ Un acto de fe en muchos sentidos"},"content":{"rendered":"

An Act of Faith in Many Ways. There\u2019s Nothing to Fear.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Last week our Future Build Committee presented our parish\u2019s Master Plan to the Diocese. It was approved and we now await the final approval from the Bishop. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our Future Build Committee, under the direction of Mr. David Walters, for the excellent work it has done to bring our parish to this point in our history. The other members of our committee are: Mr. Richard Szary, Mrs. Melton Hardy-Powell, Mr. Greg Lask, Mr. William Cotton, Mr. Ron Badone, and Mr. Silvano Sotelo Mart\u00ednez. I am very grateful to these generous and gifted individuals for their wisdom and dedication in their service to our parish family. From the time I directed the Pastoral Council to set in motion our way to create a Master Plan until now, it has been only three years. The initial marching orders gave way to the Self-Study Committee. After one year, the work was done and presented to the Diocese. The Diocese not only accepted it but congratulated us on the excellent work. Then, we took the next step: we created the Future Build Committee. Then, the Future Build Committee expanded its membership. The search for an architectural firm was launched, interviews were held, much was studied and deliberated, and the decision was made to choose the architectural firm that we would work with: The Adams Group. Thus began the actual planning of the future facilities of the parish, always balancing the information of the Self-Study, an on-going discernment of our parish\u2019s present growth and needs, and the growth trends of western Chatham County. And here we are three years later. Never has there been a respite over these last three years. I bend the knee in gratitude to these wonderful and dedicated members of our parish family.<\/p>\n

The Future Build Committee will soon create a display of the future expansion. I will also invite them to address the parish community at our weekend Masses.<\/p>\n

We have every reason to feel very proud of what has been accomplished and of these members of our parish for the work they have done with much dedication. There also exists every reason to express our gratitude to them. They have accomplished much in just three years. It truly is amazing when you take into consideration everything that went into it.<\/p>\n

So what now? Well, without much ado…we move forward. We continue working. The Future Build Committee\u2019s work has not ended. There\u2019s more to do. Now the Finance Council of the Parish kicks into gear and starts creating a Capital Campaign Committee as required by the Diocese. The Capital Campaign Committee will oversee the Capital Campaign itself together with the pastor. The thrust now focuses on turning the Master Plan into reality and that takes money.<\/p>\n

We will move forward in phases. There are three phases, and the Future Build Committee will explain the details to the parish community. I feel that we will be able to accomplish Phase 1 rather quickly. We will need many men with experience in construction to help the parish to accomplish Phase 1. The cooperation and the work of these individuals with construction, electrical, and carpentry experience will help the parish save much money.<\/p>\n

The reality is that the success of making the Master Plan a reality depends on all of us, on every individual member of our parish family because this is about us and about God\u2019s work in this world. The challenges will be many because much will be needed. But there\u2019s nothing to fear if we tackle this together.<\/p>\n

The present and the future has compelled us to put together an ambitious Master Plan. At first, it may seem that it is too much for us to handle. In order to draw strength and determination all we have to do is to look at the magnificent churches and parish complexes that were built by the first migrants to this nation. These were humble people who loved their faith and their parishes. These parishes became their home and the place where they found strength and where their relationship with God and their communities were strengthened. They worked together and the work and dedication brought them closer to one another. And so, it will be with us. We move forward to create something beautiful and meaningful for the people of God. Many of our own people, who built the present Church and facility 25 years ago, serve us as an inspiration. They had faith and vision. They responded to the signs of the times, and they moved forward with dedication, determination, and great generosity. They took on a great challenge and they succeeded. We owe them much gratitude because we stand on their shoulders. I bend the knee again and acknowledge their boldness for the sake of our Catholic community.
\nBlessings upon blessings be theirs. Who would have told them that only 25 years later the parish would need to expand again! Amazing!<\/p>\n

We move forward without fear hand in hand with God as sisters and brothers in faith. This is an exciting time for our parish family. We can turn it into a time of great blessings for us all. As the Finance Council, the Pastoral Council, the Future Build Committee and the Capital Campaign Committee all go into collaborative action, I will lead the parish community in a spiritual program that will, hopefully, turn this endeavor into a spiritual exercise that will bring us closer to God and to one another.<\/p>\n

As it is my way of doing things, we will take it one step at a time with patience and determination. In the meantime, please begin to pray for success as we continue with our ministries. In all of this, we will never be selfish nor look only at our needs. We will continue to provide for the poor and the needy as we always have. We will continue our ministry of compassion in everything we do. We will never, not even for one instant, forget the Primacy of God in this endeavor.<\/p>\n

God before us. God behind us. God at our side. To God be the glory and the praise.
\nYou are in my prayers and in my heart.\u00a0 Peace and Good.\u00a0 Friar Julio<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Un acto de fe en muchos sentidos. No hay nada que temer.<\/strong><\/p>\n

La semana pasada, nuestro Comit\u00e9 de Construcci\u00f3n del Futuro present\u00f3 el Plan Maestro de nuestra parroquia a la Di\u00f3cesis. Fue aprobado y ahora esperamos la aprobaci\u00f3n final del Obispo. Me gustar\u00eda aprovechar esta oportunidad para agradecer a nuestro Comit\u00e9 de Construcci\u00f3n del Futuro, bajo la direcci\u00f3n del Sr. David Walters, por el excelente trabajo que ha realizado para llevar a nuestra parroquia a este punto de nuestra historia. Los otros miembros de nuestro Comit\u00e9 son: el Sr. Richard Szary, la Sra. Melton Hardy Hardy-Powell, el Sr. Greg Lask, el Sr. William Cotton, el Sr. Ron Badone y el Sr. Silvano Sotelo Mart\u00ednez. Estoy muy agradecido a estas personas generosas y talentosas por su sabidur\u00eda y dedicaci\u00f3n en su servicio a nuestra familia parroquial. Desde el momento en que orden\u00e9 al Consejo Pastoral que pusiera en marcha nuestro camino para crear un Plan Maestro hasta ahora, han pasado solo tres a\u00f1os. Las \u00f3rdenes iniciales de marcha dieron paso al Comit\u00e9 de Autoestudio. Despu\u00e9s de un a\u00f1o, el trabajo se realiz\u00f3 y se present\u00f3 a la Di\u00f3cesis. La Di\u00f3cesis no s\u00f3lo lo acept\u00f3, sino que nos felicit\u00f3 por el excelente trabajo. Entonces, dimos el siguiente paso: creamos el Comit\u00e9 de Construcci\u00f3n del Futuro. Luego, el Comit\u00e9 de Construcci\u00f3n del Futuro ampli\u00f3 su membres\u00eda. Se inici\u00f3 la b\u00fasqueda de una firma de arquitectura, se llevaron a cabo entrevistas, se estudi\u00f3 y deliber\u00f3 mucho, y se tom\u00f3 la decisi\u00f3n de elegir la firma de arquitectura con la que trabajar\u00edamos: The Adams Group. As\u00ed comenz\u00f3 la planificaci\u00f3n real de las futuras instalaciones de la parroquia, siempre equilibrando la informaci\u00f3n del Autoestudio, un discernimiento continuo del crecimiento y las necesidades actuales de nuestra parroquia y las tendencias de crecimiento del oeste del condado de Chatham. Y aqu\u00ed estamos tres a\u00f1os despu\u00e9s. Nunca ha habido un respiro en estos \u00faltimos tres a\u00f1os. Doblo la rodilla en agradecimiento a estos maravillosos y dedicados miembros de nuestra familia parroquial.<\/p>\n

El Comit\u00e9 de Construcci\u00f3n del Futuro pronto crear\u00e1 una exhibici\u00f3n de la futura expansi\u00f3n. Tambi\u00e9n los invitar\u00e9 a dirigirse a la comunidad parroquial en nuestras Misas de fin de semana. Tenemos todas las razones para sentirnos muy orgullosos de lo que se ha logrado y de estos miembros de nuestra parroquia por el trabajo que han hecho con tanta dedicaci\u00f3n. Tambi\u00e9n existen muchas razones para expresarles nuestra gratitud. Han logrado mucho en solo tres a\u00f1os. Es realmente asombroso si se tiene en cuenta todo lo que se ha invertido en ello.<\/p>\n

\u00bfY ahora qu\u00e9? Bueno, sin m\u00e1s pre\u00e1mbulos… seguimos adelante. Seguimos trabajando. El trabajo del Comit\u00e9 de Construcci\u00f3n del Futuro no ha terminado. Hay m\u00e1s por hacer. Ahora el Consejo de Finanzas de la Parroquia se pone en marcha y comienza a crear un Comit\u00e9 de Campa\u00f1a de Capital seg\u00fan lo exigido por la Di\u00f3cesis. El Comit\u00e9 de Campa\u00f1a de Capital supervisar\u00e1 la Campa\u00f1a de Capital en s\u00ed junto con el p\u00e1rroco. El objetivo ahora se centra en convertir el Plan Maestro en realidad y eso requiere dinero.<\/p>\n

Avanzaremos en fases. Hay tres fases, y el Comit\u00e9 de Construcci\u00f3n del Futuro explicar\u00e1 los detalles a la comunidad parroquial. Siento que podremos completar la Fase 1 bastante r\u00e1pido. Necesitaremos muchos hombres con experiencia en construcci\u00f3n para ayudar a la parroquia a completar la Fase 1. La cooperaci\u00f3n y el trabajo de estas personas con experiencia en construcci\u00f3n, electricidad y carpinter\u00eda ayudar\u00e1n a la parroquia a ahorrar mucho dinero.<\/p>\n

La realidad es que el \u00e9xito de hacer realidad el Plan Maestro depende de todos nosotros, de cada miembro individual de nuestra familia parroquial, porque se trata de nosotros y de la obra de Dios en este mundo. Los desaf\u00edos ser\u00e1n muchos porque se necesitar\u00e1 mucho. Pero no hay nada que temer si lo abordamos juntos.<\/p>\n

El presente y el futuro nos han obligado a elaborar un ambicioso Plan Maestro. Al principio, puede parecer que es demasiado para nosotros. Para sacar fuerza y determinaci\u00f3n, todo lo que tenemos que hacer es mirar las magn\u00edficas iglesias y complejos parroquiales que construyeron los primeros inmigrantes de esta naci\u00f3n. Eran personas humildes que amaban su fe y sus parroquias. Estas parroquias se convirtieron en su hogar y el lugar donde encontraron fuerza y donde se fortaleci\u00f3 su relaci\u00f3n con Dios y sus comunidades. Trabajaron juntos y el trabajo y la dedicaci\u00f3n los acercaron unos a otros. Y as\u00ed ser\u00e1 con nosotros. Avanzamos para crear algo hermoso y significativo para el pueblo de Dios. Muchas de nuestras propias personas, que construyeron la Iglesia y las instalaciones actuales hace 25 a\u00f1os, nos sirven de inspiraci\u00f3n. Ten\u00edan fe y visi\u00f3n. Respondieron a los signos de los tiempos y avanzaron con dedicaci\u00f3n, determinaci\u00f3n y gran generosidad. Asumieron un gran desaf\u00edo y lo lograron. Les debemos mucha gratitud porque nos apoyamos en sus hombros. Doblo la rodilla nuevamente y reconozco su valent\u00eda por el bien de nuestra comunidad cat\u00f3lica.
\nBendiciones sobre bendiciones sean con ellos. \u00bfQui\u00e9n les habr\u00eda dicho que solo 25 a\u00f1os despu\u00e9s la parroquia necesitar\u00eda expandirse nuevamente? \u00a1Incre\u00edble!<\/p>\n

Avanzamos sin miedo de la mano de Dios como hermanas y hermanos en la fe. Este es un momento emocionante para nuestra familia parroquial. Podemos convertirlo en un tiempo de grandes bendiciones para todos nosotros. Mientras el Consejo de Finanzas, el Consejo Pastoral, el Comit\u00e9 de Construcci\u00f3n del Futuro y el Comit\u00e9 de Campa\u00f1a de Capital entran en acci\u00f3n colaborativa, yo guiar\u00e9 a la comunidad parroquial en un programa espiritual que, con suerte, convertir\u00e1 este esfuerzo en un ejercicio espiritual que nos acercar\u00e1 a Dios y a los dem\u00e1s.<\/p>\n

Como es mi manera de hacer las cosas, lo haremos paso a paso con paciencia y determinaci\u00f3n. Mientras tanto, por favor comiencen a orar por el \u00e9xito mientras continuamos con nuestros ministerios. En todo esto, nunca seremos ego\u00edstas ni nos fijaremos solo en nuestras necesidades. Continuaremos proveyendo a los pobres y necesitados como siempre lo hemos hecho. Continuaremos nuestro ministerio de compasi\u00f3n en todo lo que hagamos. Nunca, ni siquiera por un instante, olvidaremos la Primac\u00eda de Dios en este esfuerzo.<\/p>\n

Dios delante de nosotros. Dios detr\u00e1s de nosotros. Dios a nuestro lado. A Dios sea la gloria y la alabanza.
\nEst\u00e1n en mis oraciones y en mi coraz\u00f3n.\u00a0 Paz y Bien.\u00a0 Fray Julio<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

An Act of Faith in Many Ways. There\u2019s Nothing to Fear. Last week our Future Build Committee presented our parish\u2019s Master Plan to the Diocese. It was approved and we now await…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[186],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8459","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-from-the-heart"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/stjuliasilercity.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8459","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/stjuliasilercity.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/stjuliasilercity.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/stjuliasilercity.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/stjuliasilercity.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8459"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"http:\/\/stjuliasilercity.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8459\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8461,"href":"http:\/\/stjuliasilercity.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8459\/revisions\/8461"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/stjuliasilercity.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8459"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/stjuliasilercity.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8459"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/stjuliasilercity.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8459"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}