Hey Father Gary!

Father Gary writes:

By the time you read this, our 2008 Fall Festival will be in full swing. It would not be a success without your support! This is a major fundraising event for our parish school. Thank you Lori Mattox and your fine team of volunteers; once again you have done an outstanding job.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who volunteers their time, talent and treasure to keep this parish alive in Christ Jesus. Thank you the pioneers of this faith community, may we continue to build on your solid foundations.

Hopefully, you received in the mail a copy of the new parish census form. If you did not receive this important document please contact the parish office. As I stated last Sunday, and in my letter with the form, the purpose of the census is threefold:

a) To refresh our records so that we have current information on file for all our families and households.

b) To invite you to a deeper level of participation as we build on the past to create an exciting future.

c) To make contact with those who may have drifted away from the Church and to connect with anyone who may need pastoral care or assistance from us.

Joseph and Mary had to travel a long distance to complete their census. This is a far easier task for us. Please participate. If you have never formally registered this is an opportunity to do so. Your parish needs your presence and commitment.

The Diocese of St. Petersburg will cease to publish its edition of the Florida Catholic at the end of this month. Our diocese will begin to publish a new magazine in early 2009 that will be delivered to all homes in the diocese. The magazine will be more directed toward the specific needs of our diocese and more focused on faith and spirituality, instead of news. The diocese already produces news and information on its website: www.dioceseofstpete.org.

If you wish to continue to subscribe to the Florida Catholic, receiving an edition from another diocese, please contact the newspaper at 1-888-275-9953. Our new diocesan publication will be called ‘Gathered’ in recognition of the diocesan initiative on the Eucharist: ‘Gathered, Nourished, Sent’.

While we are on the subject of communication, please check out our new parish website: www.ourladydunedin.org. Please let us know what you think. We will continue to update it and keep it fresh. We hope to add podcasts in the very near future. We must use every means available to proclaim the gospel message of eternal life. As Pope Benedict proclaimed at the opening of the Synod of Bishops, which is taking place in Rome and centers on God’s Word, the Bible, God is not dead! May the Word of God, made flesh in Jesus Christ, reach every corner of this earth.

Please place your envelopes for World Mission Sunday in the offertory collection. Thank you for your generosity.

- Fr. Gary Dowsey

Today is Respect Life Sunday. This year’s theme is: Hope and Trust in Life! As we approach a general election we examine our consciences with regard to pro-life issues. We must always remember that being pro-life is not just about abortion, though defending life at its beginning is pivotal.

When Pope Benedict came to the United States in April he reminded us that our faith has to influence our daily behavior: “The subtle influence of secularism can…color the way people allow their faith to influence their behavior. Is it consistent to profess our beliefs in church on Sunday, and then during the week to promote business practices or medical procedures contrary to those beliefs? Is it consistent for practicing Catholics to ignore or exploit the poor and the marginalized, to promote sexual behavior contrary to Catholic moral teaching, or to adopt positions that contradict the right to life of every human being from conception to natural death?” Pope Benedict is encouraging us to be clear in our beliefs, act consistently with them, and be animated in our efforts to transform our culture.

In responding to the Pope’s call to ensure that our faith affects the way we live and act, our parish has recently joined FAST (Faith and Action for Strength Together). The mission of FAST is to engage people of diverse faiths in a process of listening, education, action and reflection in order to powerfully address community issues in our county. The issues that this organization has recently addressed with local political leaders are Education, Transportation and Affordable Housing. It has achieved significant gains in programs for the elderly seeking transportation to health care providers, covered bus shelters for the elderly, stricter enforcement of discipline in the public schools, full day care and early childhood programs for the poor and working mothers. They have also asked for an end of “racial profiling” by a local police jurisdiction and for tighter police enforcement in closing down crack houses and removing drug dealers from the streets. These are all pro-life issues.

There is one FAST Action Assembly each year. At this gathering local political leaders are asked to respond to an issue of consequence to the people of Pinellas. We are asked to bring as many people as possible to this gathering. This takes place in 2009. The issue that will be brought to the attention of the public officials will be decided at the FAST Annual Assembly which will take place at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church in Largo (9111 90th Avenue North) on Monday, October 27th at 7pm. You are invited to be there! I do hope that everyone who came to the recent FAST workshop will attend. There is power in numbers!

While there are many things that seem to divide Christians and people of other faiths, the belief in true justice unites us. I hope that we will give FAST the support it deserves. I am excited to be part of it.

Please pray for the priests of the Diocese as we gather this week for our yearly convocation. We will be reflecting on the second phase of ‘Living Eucharist’ which focuses on ‘Becoming Christ’. The Eucharist is about transformation. Not only should the gifts of bread and wine be transformed into the real presence of Jesus but so should we. Let us continue to become what we receive.

- Fr. Gary Dowsey