Sunday, July 31, 2016

BAKER’S BITS
1. As you know, the parishes of St. John the Martyr (72 ^nd St), St. John Nepomucene (66 ^th St) and St. Frances Xavier Cabrini (Roosevelt Island) began merging when I began my pastorate in August 2015. Beginning  September 1, 2016 the merger will be complete with the three former entities dissolved and one comprehensive institution in existence. This basically means that financial, ministerial and all associated record keeping by the Archdiocese will officially begin ‘on paper’ on  September 1. There will be many opportunities to reinvigorate our mission as a Catholic Christian community, serving this ‘new’ parish geographic and utilizing our resources to minister in typical, new and unique ways. To give is to receive and to serve is to be served. Stay tuned for more news in the coming weeks, specifically about future parish activities and ministries that are evolving in our great, unified parish! 
2. I hope you are planning to attend the Slovak pilgrimage to the Marian Shrine in West Haverstraw. It is extremely important that we show our strength in numbers and demonstrate to the New York Archdiocese and everyone in attendance that our church has a large and active Slovak community. To assure that everybody will be able to go to the pilgrimage, including those who do not have cars or cannot drive such a distance, the parish will arrange for a bus. Please make sure that you notify Maria Bozekova at  347-612-1934 if you would like to go by bus so that I can order an appropriate size bus.
3. Mark your calendar, our United Parish St. John Nepomucene – St. Frances X. Cabrini Picnic will be on  September 25th in Manhattan Park on Roosevelt Island from  1 pm to 5 pm.
4. UPDATE:  New church space on Roosevelt Island: projected demolition will begin mid-September and tentative construction will begin late Fall.  We have had many positive developments and progress between the owner of the building (Hudson Related), RIOC, and other involved parties.