From the Rector's Desk: Summer Staff Changes

Summer often coincides with moves and new opportunities, and this is no different for the parishioners and staff of the Basilica parish.  Despite that, we were still blessed with an attendance last week that exceeded our weekly average and was over 200 more than last year.  To me, that’s a sign of hope that you’re not taking the summer off from your relationship with God!

As I’ve indicated before, this Summer we’ll have major changes among our key staff. Bruce Haas, our Director of Operations and Maintenance, will step down on June 30 to return to his former career field. Bruce saw us through an incredibly busy time that included our consolidation of land by the purchase of the Key Shop and adjacent parking lot, renewal of the interior of the Basilica to include repairing the plaster, refinishing the hardwood floor, replacing the pews and upgrading the organ, seeing us through the construction of our new Saint John Paul II Activities building as well as multiple improvements to the school. These are all in addition to the myriad of day-to-day maintenance activities and challenges, such as building and fire alarms going off at night, and safety and security concerns. Thankfully, he and Deb will remain in the parish, and I expect he’ll be frequently seen advising and helping his replacement as he comes up to speed with a very diverse set of responsibilities and skills.

The second major change is in Faith Formation. Mariana Flores will also be leaving our staff for warmer pastures at the end of June. Mariana brought a sense of grace and kindness to our many families in CCD. She was especially instrumental in scheduling the administration of the Sacraments, which included receptions into the Church, baptisms, and confirmations.  She was our front line in meeting the many seeking information about becoming Catholic and a very important resource for our Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA). This required her to not only ensure those seeking initiation or the baptism of their children were properly informed but also provide the necessary documentation the Church requires for our recordkeeping. A task that is, in and of itself, often daunting, especially when such documents must come from foreign sources.

We will deeply miss both Bruce and Mariana. We’re planning to have an opportunity for you to thank them after the 9:00 a.m. Mass on our Parish Feast Day, Sunday, June 29th.  However, as you see them, please express your gratitude for all they have done for us during their years of service to the Basilica parish and school.

I’ll have more to share with you next week! 

Fraternally,

Fr. Gary S. Linsky

The Very Rev. Canon Gary S. Linsky, VF, VP

Rector