Dear People of St.  Catherine’s,

Summer is now over! Even in Florida, where the weather doesn’t change much when Fall advances, summer is now over. Children are back in school. We’ve reached the height of the hurricane season. And my summer reading list is now down to four unfinished books!

In our parish life, September brings us back together around the breakfast table – at least twice a month. We return to the Sunday Coffee Conversations. And at the end of the month we will celebrate the fullness and abundance of life at St. Catherine’s.

Our Coffee Conversations this Fall will take us on a holy journey through the Christian life. Nobody is born a Christian. Somebody passed on the faith to us and even as adults we never stop learning and growing in our faith. In February 2020 Bishop Barry Howe will make his visit to St. Catherine’s. From now until then we will explore the things that make us Christians, that mark our life together. We will consider the Bible, worship, our baptismal vows, and what it means to live a Christian life (distinctly not a perfect life!)

In this newsletter you can find the schedule for our journey. I invite you to join us on Sundays at 9 a.m. beginning on September 8. If you want to be confirmed by the bishop, or want to be received from another church or denomination, or just want to find strength for your journey, please join us.

At the very end of the month, on the Feast of St. Michael and All Angels, September 29, we will celebrate our Ministries Fair. All the commissions, committees, groups, programs and activities of our parish will be “showing their wares” in the parish hall. We will have available a program booklet describing all our programs with information on how to become involved. You will be amazed at things you didn’t know about. You may be enticed to try a new ministry. You can ask questions, imagine new directions for your Christian life. I hope you will join us on that day. Bring a friend. All of St. Catherine’s will be visible and available. A good day for evangelism!

During this interim time God is with us and this will be a Year of Grace for us. We may be surprised at new opportunities, new challenges. But together we will move forward. I am delighted to be with you still. See you in September.

Faithfully Yours,
Allen W. Farabee