This Thursday evening, October 1, the Farnan Spirituality Center (FSC) will host a fall gathering at Blue Hills Country Club. I, along with a great team of amphitryons (fancy term for gracious hosts), hope that you can come by. This is our second FSC fundraiser; the other was held two years ago at Southside Bar and Grill through the hospitality of Matt and Ann (Waris) Alexiou, along with great musical entertainment from Big People, one of John Ammatelli’s two bands. The other, The Licks, will provide hit songs of The Roling Stones for us this time, including Waiting On A Friend, the theme of our party.
Like last time, funds raised at Thursday’s event will be directed toward ministry in the inner city. Some of you have asked about upkeep, maintenance, renovations to, or operations of, the FSC. The things that go on there—spiritual direction, spiritual counsel, retreats, discussion groups, book clubs, etc.—are done without charge, though donations are always welcomed. Similarly, I cannot raise funds for anything that would bring me personal gain. Fortunately, generous donors have offered funding to convert a little water closet—the only restroom on the main floor—into an ADA compliant lavatory to accommodate visitors confined to a wheelchair or walker, and to fix leaks and holes that have created puddles and hazards in the nearly seventy-year-old dwelling. Having dealt with deferred maintenance in parishes for four decades, I am grateful that care for the FSC property is relatively minimal. We will probably not have future fundraisers, though I am extremely grateful for those who are interested in supporting future needs or challenges.
I love our autumn gatherings and hope they will continue annually or biennially to celebrate life, faith, friendship, spirituality, and our common goal to build up God’s kingdom in our midst by enhancing our relationship with the Good Lord and with one another. That said, my hope is that we’ll have lots of fun-raisers in the future, or just good ole friend gatherings. I am grateful for your loving and ongoing kindness, generosity, thoughtfulness, and support. Thank you!
In addition to Thursday’s gathering, I want to invite you to a follow-up open house at the FSC on Sunday, October 25, to see recent renovations (and imagine those not yet done). We will offer Mass at 1:00 that afternoon and host guests until 2:30 (the Chiefs are in Seattle for the late game that evening). As always, feel free to park at Avila University across the street.