Notes from the Pastor

In today's Gospel, Jesus offers one of the most comforting invitations in Scripture: "Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest." We all carry burdens—worries, disappointments, illness, grief, or the pressures of everyday life. Jesus does not promise a life without crosses, but He does promise that we will never carry them alone. Each Sunday, Christ invites us to lay our burdens before Him, especially in the Eucharist, where He strengthens us with His very presence. As we begin a new week, may we trust Him more fully, place our cares in His hands, and discover the peace that only He can give.

Please join me in welcoming our new Deacon, Scott Keen to St. Boniface. Deacon Scott Keen, will be joining our parish community along with his wife, Johna. Deacon Scott will be directing pastoral initiatives and assisting with liturgical and sacramental preparation.

Deacon Scott is a cradle Catholic whose southern roots run deep in the faith. He grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana, where he was incredibly active in his vibrant home parish of St. Raphael's. There he learned early on the beauty of a bustling faith community—coming from a large, wonderful family with nine brothers and sisters! He attended Catholic High School run by the Brothers of the Sacred Heart. From there he attended college and earned a Bachelor's Degree in Human Development and Family Studies from Colorado State University. After his five years of formation provided by St. Meinrad's Archabbey for the Diocese, he was ordained by Bishop Paprocki in 2016. He has previously served at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and, most recently, Christ the King Parish in Springfield. Before dedicating himself to full-time ministry, Deacon Scott spent over 25 years in public service, working for the Illinois State Police and the Illinois Department of Corrections until his retirement. Family remains at the absolute heart of Deacon Scott and Johna's life. Married at the Cathedral 31 years ago, they raised their two children, Polly and John, at Cathedral parish, where both of them attended Cathedral Grade School and later graduated from Sacred Heart-Griffin High School. While their daughter Polly lives in Fort Collins, Colorado, with her husband Ian, their son John is already a familiar face here at St. Boniface! John, his wife Sophia, and their brand-new son, Ferdinand, are parishioners right here. Deacon Scott is eager to jump into his new roles, getting to know the parishioners and families of St. Boniface.

Welcome, Father Severine Msigiti! This weekend we are pleased to welcome Reverend Father Severine Msigiti to Saint Boniface Parish as part of the Diocese's annual Missionary Cooperation Plan. Father Severine will share with us the work of the Church in his mission diocese and the many ways your prayers and generosity help bring the Gospel to communities throughout the world. Please extend a warm Saint Boniface welcome to Father Severine and keep him and the people he serves in your prayers. Thank you in advance for your generosity and for helping to spread the Good News beyond our parish and throughout the world.

What's Wrong with the Church Bells? Many parishioners have asked about our church bells. For several months, the bell system has been experiencing ongoing mechanical and electronic issues. The company that originally installed the system has made numerous repairs, but unfortunately, it has been determined that the system has reached the point where it must be replaced. A new, updated bell control system has been ordered and is expected to be installed within the next several weeks. The new system will offer greater reliability, additional ringing options, and even a smartphone app that will allow for remote operation when needed. The total cost of replacing the system is $10,000. If you would like to help fund this important project, I would be most grateful for your support. Donations of any amount are welcome. If you are interested in contributing, please contact me at the parish office or email me at [email protected]. Thank you for your continued generosity and for helping preserve one of the most recognizable and cherished traditions of Saint Boniface Parish.

Interested in Becoming Catholic or Learning More About the Catholic Faith? Have you been thinking about becoming Catholic? Are you a baptized Christian interested in entering into full communion with the Catholic Church? Or are you a Catholic who has not yet celebrated Confirmation or First Holy Communion? Our Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is for you! OCIA sessions will begin on Tuesday, September 8, at 6:30 p.m. Whether you are just beginning to explore the Catholic faith or are ready to take the next step, we invite you to join us. There is no obligation—simply come and learn. To register or for more information, please contact the Parish Office or email [email protected].