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Dear friends in Christ,
This Sunday begins Catholic Schools Week here in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and throughout America. As the largest ministry of our parish, St. Joseph School stands as a testament to the commitment of all those who have gone before us in support of our school for over 150 years now. Just as we have benefited from the commitment of previous pastors, principals, teachers, school parents and parishioners, so we benefit today from the commitment to a Catholic based education under the leadership of our school Principal, Mrs. Chrissie Ashby, our Assistant Principal, Mrs. Kathi Trimble, our teachers, their assistants, and our entire St. Joseph Church & School family. I also want to thank our 5th Grade teacher, Grace Baltimore, who leads our school Liturgy Club as well as Kathy Wiley, who volunteers as a weekday sacristan and works with our students every Wednesday as well as the 2nd Sunday of the month school Mass. In recognition of Catholic Schools Week, my hope is that we will hear from five different school families this weekend as to the impact and blessing St. Joseph Church & School has had on their families.
As this weekly column is primarily read by parishioners who regularly worship with us, I want to thank you for your faithful support of our offertory program. Because of your support, we can maintain the equipment necessary for snow removal and employ an exceptional Facilities Manager in TJ Froemsdorf who operates the snowplow and salt application on our immense campus. We are also blessed to have Ally O’Neil and Tony Barajas on our team. Ally and Tony are responsible for snow removal and the salting of our sidewalks. The cost would be much greater to St. Joseph Church & School if we had to contract a third party for snow removal. This is especially the case when we need to have the campus open on weekdays for school drop-off and pick-up.
This weekend also happens to be announcement weekend for the Annual Appeal for Catholic Ministries. This year’s theme for the 2025 Annual Appeal is, “Go Forward with God’s Mission.” In the letter you should have received by now from Archbishop Lori, he observes that this year’s theme, “is a reminder that our faith is not static; it is a living encounter with Jesus Christ that propels us to action, to serve others, and to share the Good News with all.” May our efforts in continuing to promote an authentic and integrated Catholic education as well as our efforts to support the 2025 Annual Appeal bear witness to our Catholic faith. It takes a parish filled with committed Catholics to make all of this happen. To all of you who make our parish what it is, I am most grateful.
In Christ,
Message from Jerome Andrades - 1/4/2025
Dear Rev. Fr. Jesse and Parishioners of St. Joseph's Parish, Fullerton
Wishing you a Very Happy New Year, filled with God's grace, mercy and choicest blessings.
The initial survey of St. Rita’s school and surrounding village was conducted in Sep.’24. One has to travel by jeep, through difficult dirt roads to get to the village school. There is no electricity or running water, and without lights or fans, there was no activity after sun-set. In summer the classrooms were too hot to use. All the children (from grade 1 to grade 5) sat together in an open corridor, which also needed fans during summer. As a result, only 50 village children are currently studying in the school. Many remain at home. The limited school furniture is old, worn-out and broken. They have no cupboards and no proper tables for the teachers. The school hall is used for Sunday Mass with limited Church activities in the daytime.
The villagers live in mud and straw houses which they build with their bare hands; left wide open with no doors or windows; just open holes for ventilation. Their houses often collapse during the heavy monsoon rains, and are rebuilt with much hard labor, but no financial cost. I was invited to have lunch in the home of one of the villagers. I experienced immense peace and calm when I entered their humble home. One can sense God’s soothing and comforting presence among these people. Fr. Nazir John, the parish priest of St. Paul’s Parish, Sanghar, accompanied me on the visit and has been very supportive.
Utilizing funds from your most generous donation, a solar power system with batteries, fans, lights etc. was successfully installed in early Dec.’24. and new chairs purchased for the teachers. The class-rooms now having fans and lights were cleared and set up to accommodate the children indoors, giving the premises some appearance of what one may call a school. No fees are charged from the students. The school has only two dedicated teachers, from the local village who receive a measly stipend of appreciation from the local Archdiocese. (Sadly Rs.7000/-, equivalent to US$ 25 only per month.). In addition, three selfless volunteers from the local village work free of cost.
I visited again on 17th Dec.’24 and took gifts for the children, and Christmas cash-bonuses for the teachers. We had a small delightful Christmas party, with the children singing Christmas carols and dancing. Now, with solar power, the village school and local Church has come alive with evening activities, social events and adult catechesis etc.
I close with immense gratitude and thanks to Rev. Fr. Jesse, the Parishioners of St. Joseph’s Parish Fullerton and the International Outreach Committee for your continued generosity, concern and love for the less fortunate.
Humbly in Christ
Jerome Andrades,
Coordinator, Karachi Outreach program
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