We have been greatly blessed by the generosity of our parishioners here at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Plano, Texas. The recent building of our new church with the connected hallway, the daily Chapel, and the courtyard has been a wonderful experience in worship and fellowship.
The Columbarium is also an important experience for many people whose loved ones' remains are housed there. People also use the Columbarium space for quiet time, personal prayer, and reflection and will continue to use it for many years to come.
We see many new people arriving in our community, including many young families and new faces from all over the world. Our new OCIA (previously known as RCIA) class has blossomed from thirteen people last year to forty-five people today.
During the planning and construction of our new church facility, many people offered their support and expertise, and we are grateful to them. Our Bishop Burns was instrumental in supporting the project, and especially in encouraging us to complete the complex with the Bell Tower and connected hallway. We should also be grateful to our Diocese for their support in completing this project without which we could not have the beautiful complex in which we now gather, worship, and experience fellowship.
The Diocese of Dallas is a growing and vibrant community, which has many needs. Some of those needs are the seminary programs, the diaconate office, marriage preparation, some aspects of Catholic education and Catholic charity - all of which help enliven our community.
Our support for the ministries and projects of our greater Catholic Diocese of Dallas asks us to share with them in our common journey with Christ. We are in a relationship with them, and our support for the Bishop's Annual Appeal is an appropriate act of love and gratitude.