As you enter the church this week, perhaps you will notice two things - the pews are different and underneath them there no longer is carpet but vinyl flooring. You are right!

I must share with you how happy and impressed I am with how things unfolded so fast. Last Sunday, after performing a baptism at 12:15 P.M., a group of volunteers arrived with some bringing their tools. They were ready to help take out the pews. Lo and behold, in an hour, all the pews in the church were gone! The church was empty with just carpet on the floor. The pews did not stay outside long because those who requested to have one or two picked them up on that same day. I was just so amazed by the quick turn of events with lots of volunteers showing up and how things worked out so well, as if it was coordinated - even the weather. The sky was blue. The sun was shining and providing a nice temperature. It was just perfect. Then the following day, the Superior Interior men installed the vinyl flooring on the area where the pews were to be positioned. It was beautiful. The type of vinyl and the color matched the interior of the church. Tuesday was the day that again, a group of volunteers went to Monessen to pick-up all 47 pews from the Epiphany Church. It was a great team— from haulers, laborers, lifters, all working for one goal, to pick-up the pews carefully and transport them to St. Mary’s. The succeeding days, until Saturday, volunteers spent their time installing these pews inside the church.

With all these things accomplished, I can say that St. Mary Parish is not only generous with their time, talent and treasure, but the spirit of volunteerism is very much alive. And I thank you all for being one with us in this great endeavor!

I am sure God is happy in what we have done because we showed our love and care for His dwelling place and our place of worship. Our Blessed Mother, Mary, whom our church is dedicated, must also be smiling for us because we thought of preserving our church historicity and perpetuity for the next generation.

I do believe that God is with us. He blesses us in everything that we do because we do it out of love for Him and for our church. The gospel this fifth Sunday of Easter is so fitting to remember, “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you”.

The secret of God’s blessing is always being connected with Him and doing His will.