We have been members of St. Pat’s parish for 48 years. When we started our own family, we enrolled our daughters in St. Patrick’s school, and became involved in school activities and functions that supported the parish. We enjoyed a family-like bond with the teachers, students and other families as we shared the same values in our Catholic faith. As our family life evolved, more of our time and energy was needed by our own aging parents and our young grandchildren in central Pennsylvania and New Jersey. While we were not as actively engaged in the day to day happenings in our church during that time, we attended weekly Mass and maintained our family connection at St. Pat’s.
Recently, a simple request to be a greeter at weekly Mass helped spark a reconnection to our church community. We were quickly reminded of the wonderful gift of fellowship and kindness that is our parish! Our involvement has grown to helping at activities such as our parish festival, cemetery grounds beautification work, Lenten fish fry, and ministry. Our common bond has helped us to create friendships that we treasure. We know that our faith is strengthened by those around us and that together we can have hope in building our community and our church. May God continue to bless St. Patrick’s Parish.
John and Mary Ann Augustyn