November 7, 2007

My dear friends,

One Sunday at coffee hour following the eleven o’clock Mass at the Church of the Advent in Boston this past summer, while I was in the midst of the (still confidential) search process that ultimately brought me here to Saint Ignatius, a member of the vestry strode up to me with a big smile on his face and said, “I was just in New York last week and I went to Saint Ignatius of Antioch.” “Hmmm,” I thought, “why is he telling me this and what does he know?” So I said out loud, “Oh, that’s nice,” waiting to see where he was going with this. I was certainly not about to blurt out to him that I was one of the three finalists in their rector search. Well, it turned out that he was not fishing for information about my future plans, but rather that he was simply excited to have visited once again what he told me was his favourite church in New York City. He wanted to tell me because he knew I was a New Yorker and thought I would be interested.

What was fascinating to me was that several other people heard us talking about Saint Ignatius and immediately commented that they loved the place, too. Several—one of whom has visited us since I have arrived here—also said that if they lived in New York, they would make the place their parish home. Not only did they love the liturgy and music and art and architecture they found in the building, but they said how much they liked the people there. They loved the friendly reception they received, the warm welcome and congeniality of coffee hour. For someone in a search process, contemplating the idea of going somewhere, this was most heartening and encouraging news. This was better than any “Mystery Worshipper” review I might read on the internet. What I learned that day was how well the people of Saint Ignatius greet strangers and welcome newcomers. Indeed, I was put in mind of how well the people of Saint Ignatius seemed to heed the great admonition from the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews, “do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares” (13:2).

Since arriving at Saint Ignatius, the impressions gleaned from my enthusiastic Bostonians have not only been met, but they have been exceeded. I have come into a welcoming, warm community, that gathers to celebrate the Sacraments in a beautiful and full way that engages all the senses. I have come into a community that is brimming with the desire to share their gifts and talents with others. I have come into a community that wants to reach out in love to the City. All of these things are so important and I am so thrilled to be a part of what the people of Saint Ignatius are trying to achieve with the help of God.

Saint Ignatius is a relatively small parish church and relies heavily on its members to support our worship and music, our mission and ministry. Last year, our members pledged over $190,000 of our $360,000 budget to support this work. This is a wonderful tribute to what a small group can do when they think something is important. Here you will find a printable, mail-in pledge card for 2008 and I would ask each and every one of you who pledged last year to consider increasing your level of support by at least 15% and encourage those of you who did not make a pledge to do so. Everyone pledging helps us determine our budget for the coming year and allows us to continue our work together.

In the coming weeks you will be hearing from a member of the Stewardship Committee who will wish not only to discuss your financial support for Saint Ignatius, but will want to hear how you feel about the life and work of the parish and know what gifts and talents you may have to share. Please receive this person as warmly as you receive the stranger and do not hesitate to be in touch with me or the Stewardship Committee Chairman, if you have any questions or concerns.

As always, I remain,

Faithfully yours,