What do you consider the most important issue facing Saint Andrew Catholic Parish and how do you recommend addressing it? The biggest challenge in our Parish (and many US Catholics) is understanding our wonderful faith. When 1/3 of all Catholics don’t believe in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist we need to do something about it. Without understanding our faith, it becomes difficult to live it and to pass it onto the next generations. Particularly needed is a better understanding of the value of the Sacraments and how they relate to our Catholic life journey. I would like to see an even stronger push for faith development within the Parish with more opportunities for Scripture study, retreats, workshops, guest speakers, etc. that would help draw us closer to our faith as a community.
What do you like best about Saint Andrew Catholic Parish and why? Our POTENTIAL. With a Parish the size of ours, we should be bursting forth with Parishioners who are desperate to serve the Lord through our various ministries, educational opportunities, and service. Especially with the Capital Campaign wrapping up and (hopefully!) construction to begin soon, now is the time for our Parish to become energized and dynamic. St Andrew’s has the potential to be the standard to which all other Parishes in the Diocese are compared to.
What gifts would you bring to the Pastoral Council? Being a Father of 5 (almost 6!) kids and a busy Surgeon, I completely understand the value of time. I personally do not like having my time wasted. Because of this, I want my time on the Pastoral Council to be meaningful and filled with purpose. I do not plan on being a passive member of the Council, but rather will be fully engaged to make sure that the Council is fully committed to its Mission of serving the Parish and constantly looking for ways to improve it. I’m tired of the Catholic Church losing members to other denominations, and hope, through service on this Council, to find ways to get our Parishioners better engaged in St Andrews and in their Faith.