Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church

November 1, 2026

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

“Peace be with you.” (John 20:19)

As your pastor, I thank Almighty God every day for the privilege of serving this beautiful community of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Every time we gather around the Altar for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, I am deeply moved by your devotion, your prayers, and your love for Our Lord Jesus Christ. Our parish is not just a building of stone and wood; it is our shared spiritual home. It is where our families are fed with the Bread of Life, where our children receive the sacraments, and where we bury our loved ones with the certain hope of the Resurrection. 

Over the past two months, our parish has journeyed through a deep spiritual reflection on themeaning of true Christian Stewardship. We have remembered together that we are not the absolute owners of our lives, our time, or our money. We are simply managers. Everything wehave is an unmerited gift from a loving Father, loaned to us so that we can build up His Kingdom on earth. 

Today marks an important milestone in the life of our parish family. It is our official Pledge Day. Enclosed with this letter, you will find our 2026 Parish Stewardship Pledge Card.

I want to share openly with you about the current temporal needs of our church. As your spiritual father, it is my duty to care for both the spiritual and financial health of our parish home. Right now, we are facing real financial challenges, as our regular collections are falling short of meeting basic monthly operating expenses. We are also navigating outstanding debts and necessary structural repairs that require our attention. These constraints naturally limit our ability to fully fund the vibrant pastoral ministries, youth groups, and community outreach programs that mean so much to our neighborhood. 

 We can only heal and strengthen our parish home if we stand together in co-responsibility. I understand deeply that many of your own households are feeling the strain of economic pressures, and my heartfelt intention is never to impose an unmanageable burden upon your family. Rather, I am warmly inviting you to take this Pledge Card home today. Please feel free to take your time with it—perhaps placing it on your dining table or your family prayer altar—and spend this coming week in quiet reflection and prayer. 

I invite you to look at your household budget and ask Our Lord: “What is a planned, proportional financial gift that reflects our family’s gratitude for Your blessings?” For some, this might mean moving toward a consistent weekly contribution. For others, it may mean enrolling in automated electronic giving (EFT), which helps provide our parish with a stable, predictable baseline to manage utilities and ongoing debts. 

 November 8 (Celebration Sunday), we would love to try a beautiful community expression of our shared faith. Instead of passing the standard collection baskets, we invite those who are comfortable to join in a gentle procession during Mass to place their completed, sealed pledge envelope into a basket at the foot of the Altar. This is entirely voluntary, and if you prefer to drop it off quietly or mail it in, please feel welcome to do so. For those participating, it is simply a meaningful way to offer our collective gratitude as an act of pure worship and devotion. 

Thank you for your historic generosity, your faith, and your willingness to step forward in co-responsibility. Together, by the grace of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, we will navigate these challenges and ensure that the light of Christ continues to burn brightly in our community for generations to come. 

Assuring you of my daily prayers and a remembrance at the Holy Altar, I remain,

Sincerely yours in Christ Jesus,

Fr. Sean Wenger

Pastor, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church