I was very impressed with the Parish Personality Profile that the Committee compiled from the survey conducted in the parish. I will use the profile as my guide as I begin working with you. I hope that in the next six months or so we will be able to organize a parish-wide process of listening to your concerns and ideas for our parish. The Parish Council and I need your input in order to make plans for the future.
As I studied the profile, I realize the WHY’S I want to be part of SS. Peter and Paul Parish.
W- Worship The Eucharist is the basis of who we are and all we do; everything else flows from our celebration of the Eucharist. Worship needs to be a priority in our lives as individuals and as a community.
H- Hospitality We are a growing community. Hospitality is a hallmark of a Christian community. With you I want to welcome those who are moving into our community. As a faith community we also want to welcome people into our church. With your help I hope to organize a process of implementing the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). In any family there are times when members feel hurt, alienated or "at odds" with other members. I believe that reconciliation is an important part of being a welcoming community.
Y- Youth Our youth are our future. SS. Peter and Paul School is a very integral part of our parish. We need to build on the present quality and continue to enrich our children with a faith-filled Catholic identity. Efforts need to be made that all children of the parish have the opportunity for a quality Catholic education and formation. The Parish School of Religion (PSR) is currently serving over 200 children. The children enrolled in the PSR are important to us and we need to ensure that they are given quality Catholic instruction and formation. The Children of SS. Peter and Paul Parish are all very important to us. The teenagers and young adults are confronted with important choices in their lives. We cannot overlook the call to mentor them. CYO is a wonderful organization through which we can minister to our young people.
S- Seniors and Stewardship The faith we have has been shared with us by parents and grandparents. A ministry to the homebound, nursing home residents and the seniors of our parish is a way to acknowledge all they have sacrificed and witnessed for us. Stewardship is about 3 T’s. Time, Talent and Treasure. Each one of us is called to be good stewards of the time, talent and treasure that God has bestowed upon us. We have abundance of resources to meet our abundant needs. You and I can call one another to be good stewards.
I am very happy to be your pastor. I look forward to listen to you, to work with you, and to worship with you. You are the reason why I have also moved to Waterloo.
Pastor: Thomas D. Flach