Last weekend Katie Sukley, our Director of Religious Education, received her Master of Arts Degree in Catechetics and Evangelization from Franciscan University of Steubenville. I think this is a great honor for Steubenville, since Katie has already proved herself proficient in both of these areas. Her service to our parish is so much appreciated, and she always goes “above and beyond” to insure that all she meets feel welcomed and affirmed. As a local, she has great insight into not only the people but also the unique culture that make St. Christopher Parish such a special place. Congratulations, Katie, and thank you for your ministry. We are so proud of you!!
Mark Donohue, a parishioner who is a seminarian for our diocese, has finished his first year of studies at St. Mary’s Seminary and University. Mark is home for a short time, and then will be engaging in his first “Pastoral Experience” this summer at St. Edmund Parish in Rehoboth Beach for several weeks. It is so great that one of our own has chosen to enter the seminary to discern whether or not God is calling him to be a priest! We welcome him home and pray that his example will inspire other young men to consider this vocation that is filled with life and love. I ask you to pray for Mark, his fellow seminarians, and especially any young men who are thinking about priesthood as a possible vocation. May God bless our youth with the grace of discernment, whether to the vocation of marriage, the single life, priesthood or religious life.
There is a scam going around our diocese that involves people pretending to be a person the priest knows and sending text messages or emails asking you to buy gift cards and sending him the information. I was told last past weekend that someone received a message purporting to be from me and asking the recipient to buy $100 gift cards for emergency help for a person in need. Please note that I will never send you a text or email asking for you to buy gift cards. Several priests, and even the bishop’s office have been victims of this scam. If someone needs help and I or any priest wanted to ask you to assist, we would always ask in person, never by text or email. If you receive one of these requests (last week’s was from a 713 area code number), please do not respond. Report it to the police and your cell provider as a scam. Thank you and please, be careful. Sadly, there are unscrupulous people who will go to any length to steal from you. Forewarned is forearmed!
 
 
Have a great week and Happy Easter, everyone. May God bless you and your loved ones! Father Giuliano