Spirited Times - June 2009

ONLINE extra:
Looking into the eyes of the future church:

Many thanks from Mark Buckley, Church of the Holy Spirit Director of Religious Education for 3 years

By Mark Buckley

For three years I have been privileged to minister at Church of the Holy Spirit as your Director of Religious Education.  Following in the footsteps of my good friend Kathy Drennan, it has been a true joy to be a part of the family of CHS and watch the children and young people grow through the programs and through the sacraments.

As I watch the children and young adults celebrate Eucharist, Reconciliation and Confirmation I look into the eyes of the future church. That church will certainly be different than the church that many of us grew up in, but it will be a church filled with wonderful young people who are alive with the faith.

But each journey has its beginnings and endings and somehow God brings us to new and unexpected places to be with new and wonderful people. As my ministry takes me to a new position in a new place I will remember and keep Church of the Holy Spirit in my prayers as a place filled with Spirited people seeking the Holy Spirit in their lives.  As I leave this parish at this time I will always remember the joy and vibrancy of this parish in a special way. 

Thank you for being a part of my ministry and God bless you as you begin a new time in your lives with a new pastor and a new DRE.  I offer special thanks to all the catechists, catechist helpers, grade level coordinators, liturgy  of the Word leaders, Confirmation facilitators and peer mentors who have enriched my journey here at Church of the Holy Spirit.

Mark Buckley, Church of the Holy Spirit Director of Religious Education through June 30; Michelle Martinez begins as DRE on July 1. Watch for a future story about Michelle.