Father Francis J. Peffley. Homiletic & Pastoral Review October 2010.

"Just nine years ago, only three hundred families made up the parish."

Wow!

Just like Brackettville, Texas' Saint Mary Magdalene's Catholic Parish today! :)

"By the grace of God we are now blessed with 3,300 families.

"I have baptized 1,400 babies in the last nine years,

"remarking to the deacon that it seems everyone in the parish is pregnant except him and me..."


Father's Original title: "Sanctifying, evangelizing and catechizing a parish."

"There are numerous practical steps that may be taken to strengthen the spiritual life of the parish...

"Twenty years ago I was ordained a priest in the Diocese of Arlington.

"I served in many wonderful parishes before becoming the founding pastor of a newly formed parish named the Church of the Holy Trinity in Gainsville, Virginia.

"Just nine years ago, only three hundred families made up the parish, Sunday Masses were held in a public high school, daily Mass in the local Benedictine monastery, and the rectory was (and still is!) a private home in one of the neighborhoods.

"By the grace of God and a lot of hard work, our parish has grown and we are now blessed with 3,300 families.

"I have baptized more than 1,400 babies in the last nine years, remarking to the deacon that it seems everyone in the parish is pregnant except him and me!

"We have 1,600 kids in religions education.

"In our first year of the new parish we did about forty weddings, and currently have about sixty - five organizations and ministries functioning in the parish.

"From this growth of the Body of Christ (and aware that each parish is unique and has its own particular set of needs and circumstances).

"I would like to offer some practical suggestions on how to sanctify, evangelize and catechize a parish..."

And this article just keeps on getting better! :)