Dear Parishioners,

I am sure it is mixed emotions that Mary Alice Benoit must be feeling as she retired from her position as Business Manager here at St. John's effective Friday, Oct 13th.  In that capacity without any exaggeration, Mary Alice has done just about everything in the parish over the past 6 years. As Business Manager, she has been responsible for the care and upkeep of our parish facilities, working closely with our dedicated maintenance team. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mary Alice for the enormous dedication, service and love she has shown to St. John's. If I wanted to list all of her accomplishments, I would have to use all the space available in this entire bulletin. Overseeing a large parish with a school, like ours, keeping the facilities in good condition, managing the finances along with many small and big projects, and making sure that all employees are doing what they are supposed to do is not an easy task. But Mary Alice has seen our parish develop and grow during her tenure, taking all the necessary steps to make sure that St. John's finances, staff members and facilities are all in good shape.

As she now retires as a staff member, we wish her all the best. Congratulations on a job well done, Mary Alice! Her passion and care for our parish will certainly be missed! Knowing her, though, retirement will not include letting any grass grow under her feet. I know she is anticipating spending more quality time with her family especially her mother. We will see Mary Alice around anyways as she will serve our parish as a member of our Finance Committee. As you see Mary Alice around, please take time to thank her personally for all her hard work for the benefit of our parish community.

I am happy to announce that we have hired a successor to Mary Alice. Welcome, Deacon Timothy Davidson, our new parish Operations Manager, effective October 16th! Deacon Tim is already well known to many in our parish community. He and his family have been members of our parish for years now. There is no doubt in my mind that Deacon Tim has all it takes to be very effective and successful in this new role.

The primary purpose of the Operations Manager (with the assistance of the Financial Committee) is to be a steward entruted with management of the financial, physical and personnel resources of the parish. He manages the business operations of the parish and thus releases the Pastor to carry out his pastoral and spiritual responsibilities. The Operations Manager ensures that parish assets are used efficiently and effectively in serving the needs of St. John's community. I know that Deacon Tim shall carry out his responsibilities in a manner that reflects Catholic teaching and I am very confident that he will do all this just right. Please keep him and our parish in your prayers.

God bless,

Fr. Gregg