Anderson-Alexandria Catholic Pastorate

Off the Top of My Head…
First, my sincere thanks to everyone who contributed to my 70th birthday gift back in
January. Your generosity enabled me to be part of a wonderful camping and hiking trip
to Mt. Rainier National Park in Washington. (No, we didn’t climb the mountain! But we
had wonderful views of it every day.) I will soon provide some photos from the trip for
our “Pastorate Scrapbook" (the bulletin). Thank you again!
Next: Our “flood relief” donations from the three parishes in the Pastorate totaled just
under $8600. To make an additional contribution, write a check or make a cash donation
directly to your parish. The memo line on the check, or the envelope containing the
cash, should include the words “Flood Relief.” Thanks so much to all who have
contributed!
The funds will be used for parish and school families and staff, then for the needs of the
larger community. If you or someone you know from one of our parishes or schools
have experienced damage or loss that cannot be recovered, please call St. Mary in
Anderson (Spanish or English), or St. Ambrose (English only). (Traci, our parish
secretary at St. Mary Alexandria, is on pilgrimage with the group led by Fr. DeCarlo!)
Finally: Updates on our ongoing Pastorate Vision Plan, which helps us identify and
address the major priorities facing our Pastorate—the three parishes and two schools in
Anderson and Alexandria.The Plan looks at our priorities one year at a time, while also
keeping a three-year outlook in view. This allows us to focus on what needs our
attention now while making sure that our decisions today are moving us towards the
future.
The three (very ambitious) Action Items for the 2026-27 generation of the Plan are as
follows:
● Develop and implement a sustainable funding plan to enable the hiring of a
full-time Pastorate Youth Ministry Coordinator (grades 6-12) and a full-time
Pastorate Children’s Coordinator (grades K – 5).
● Develop and conduct a year-long Pastorate-wide listening and discernment
process to reflect on and discuss the future of the Church in Anderson and
Alexandria over the next 15 years. 
● Create an intentional outreach to inactive and other parishioners in our
Pastorate.
Information sessions after the parish Masses on the weekends of September 12-13,
19-20, and 26-27 will review our current action items and invite input for future strategic
goals. Check the bulletin for details. Hoping for a big turnout!
Fr. Tom Metzger
August 30, 2026

Sunday - 8:30 AM
Wednesday - 8:00 AM
Friday - 8:00 AM
Saturday - 4:30 PM

The Catholic Moment: August 2, 2026