First 100 Days in Review
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29th Sunday of Ordinary Time
First 100 Days in Review
As I write this, I have been on the job for over 100 days! There is one word that immediately comes to mind: gratitude. I feel so incredibly grateful to be the sixth pastor of St. Francis de Sales. We know our roots, we know our story, we know our heritage: Fr. Joseph Firnbach, Fr. John McEnroe, Fr. Richard Valker, Fr. Ronald Gollatz, and Fr. David Ryan. We are St. Francis de Sales, and we are a premier parish in the Archdiocese of Chicago thanks to our pastors who have gone before us, and especially because of all of you – volunteers, lay leaders, ministers, and all the Baptized who are co-responsible for the renewal of the Church. I am honored to be a part of your parish community. I often reflect on the unique character of the parish priest: we priests are privileged to journey with a community for a time, doing our best to be good shepherds and stewards of God’s gifts and particularly the people entrusted to our care. But then we take on another assignment and there is change and transition. However, what remains constant is you – the beautiful people of God. This is your parish, and it will continue to be. I realize I am so blessed to be able to lead you for a time, and I will certainly cherish each and every day I have with you, as we walk together in Christ. My vision is clear: the Church is to be a sacrament of communion with God and the unity of the human family – to help others experience a life-giving, transformative relationship with God. And our mission is equally defined: to go and make disciples (cf. Matthew 28:19). St. Francis de Sales is committed to forming disciples to make disciples. I couldn’t be more proud to stand with you in that mission.
We are Eagles! I am also proud to call myself an Eagle. St. Francis School continues to remain vibrant and strong, resilient and formidable – just as the students and school families, people and parishioners of our community have always been. I named my bulletin column “Eagle’s Landing” to pay homage to our great school: the largest teaching ministry of our parish. And to witness the great work that Mary Keller (Principal), Sarah Jeske (Assistant Principal), and our dedicated faculty and staff do is truly inspiring. As I visit with and spend time with our students, I know they are being formed in the Faith, our Catholic tradition, and the values of the Gospel. Christ is the reason for our school and He truly is the teacher in every classroom, fine arts event, athletic or extracurricular activity. Our students are daily growing in faith, character and service, understanding that life is meant to be lived for others after the example of Jesus.
With regard to our youth and student population, the Education Center at St. Francis School is home to our robust Religious Education Program, under the direction of Mimi McGlauchlin. And our youth ministry and confirmation programming is led by Diana Arizmendi. As I continue to meet with our religious education students and confirmation teens, I know we have a strong community of young people, and that is a great source of hope for our parish, for as Pope Francis reminded us: young people are leaders in the church with much to share; their voice absolutely matters; they are the “now” of the church!
To my pastoral staff, and the clergy: Fr. Gerald Walsh, Dcn. Bob Arvidson, Dcn. Tom Purtell, and Dcn. John Sfire – I want to take this opportunity to thank you for all you do. I have witnessed your leadership, hard work, compassion and care, and the love of Christ you show to those you serve. I am so fortunate to be surrounded by a truly wonderful team. I could not do this without you. Please also know of my commitment to show up, work hard, and give all that I have in service to God’s people. Together, let us remember the words of St. Paul, “whatever you do, whether in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians 3:17).
At this time, I am happy to report that in my first 100 days, these are some of the things accomplished: appointed Laura Angelini as the Operations Director who serves as my executive officer, Mike Iwanski as the Chairman of the Finance Council and Katie McGlauchlin as the Communications and Marketing Manager; expanded the scope of Jonathan Kim’s role as Director of Music to include ministry to school students and building a children’s choir; instituted additional social media engagement along with constructing a brand new parish website; established community outreach with the Village of Lake Zurich, District 95 and the Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce; made safety improvements, particularly new concrete steps at the east entrance of the church and next to the school’s main entrance; assembled an ad hoc committee for the church renovation project; became a “teaching parish” partner for Mundelein Seminary, with 3 seminarians (Alex, Ben and Will) assigned; initiated a campus landscaping project, including new mulch for the school playground; implemented a “Coffee Challenge” for mission vitality and fiscal sustainability; launched the Fall Faith Formation series, secured our parish Advent Night of Renewal, and started a new parish-sponsored Young Adult Ministry, all under the charge of Pam Lynch, our stellar Director of Evangelization and Lifelong Faith Formation; and we are in the process of bringing the Jubilee Garden to St. Francis de Sales – where it will find its new home!
Whatever we do, though, we do it in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. I look forward to the next 100 days, and the years to come. Please be assured of my prayers, and I ask for yours, as I remain –
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Fr. Christian Shiu
Administrator
