One of the most beautiful signs of a living parish is when its members come together—not just to attend something, but to build something. Last weekend, we witnessed such a moment. The success of this parish garage sale, held in support of our Building Fund Campaign was not merely about dollars raised (though the $6,000 generated—soon to be doubled by a generous matching donor—was indeed a blessing). More than that, it revealed what becomes possible when we walk together, offering time, talent, and heart toward a shared goal.

What happened here at St. Peter’s wasn’t simply an event. It was a living testimony to what the Church is at her core: the People of God, united in mission, each offering their gift for the good of all.

From each donation received to each item purchased—through sorting, selling, preparing the barbecue, and coordinating the final destination—every detail was carried not by one group, but by the generous collaboration of the Catholic Women’s League, Knights of Columbus, God Squad, and many others. It was a visible sign of the strength that emerges when purpose is shared and we work together.

In the corporate world, this kind of collaboration is often called synergy. But in the Church, it is something deeper: a journey of communion, where we walk together—not driven by efficiency, but by the desire to place our gifts at the service of the Church’s mission.

This is how the Church grows—not only in resources, but in communion. As St. Paul reminds us, “To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good” (1 Cor 12:7). Each time we offer what we have—our skills, our hands, our presence—and place it at the service of the community, we are responding to Christ’s call to serve and build up His Body.

And something else happens, too: we discover that we are not alone. We find joy in one another’s company and in accomplishing something meaningful as one. We come to know that we belong, and that the parish is not simply where we show up each week—it is where we walk together as a people being formed and sent by Christ.

To all who donated, volunteered, organized, grilled, cleaned, and helped in ways both visible and hidden: thank you. You have not only supported this initiative—you have offered a witness of collaboration and communion. And you have helped all of us see what is possible when the ministries walk together as one Body.

May this spirit of unity and mutual cooperation continue to shape the life of our parish. Let us keep walking this path together—in unity of purpose, attentive to the Spirit, and committed to the mission entrusted to us.

Fr. Fabio de Souza