Saint Joseph

Catholic Church

The Oldest Catholic Church of Saginaw Valley, established in 1850
 

OUR CATS’ CORNER

(Here’s where you can get the real “scoop” on what’s happening in the parish”)

“Mea culpa! Mea maxima culpa!”  For those of you who are not as old as Ernie and me and maybe don’t know Latin, it means “my fault, my most grievous fault”.  So much has happened since our last article…I guess we’ve just been busy taking care of business at the rectory. 

Let me give you the scoop on the latest events here; as many of you know, Sr. Joanne decided to retire and move to the motherhouse in Monroe on April 24^th of this year.  Course, you know, we couldn’t let her go without a few “good-bye” parties.  We all miss her but know that she made the right decision.  She was having so much trouble with her M. S. that walking was beginning to be a problem, especially with the stairs.  Sr. Gail says she has a very nice room at the motherhouse and is getting re-acquainted with many old friends.  Matter of fact, I just heard her say that she is a “gad-about”….is Sr. Gail lisping…I bet she meant “glad about” – probably glad about her new room and seeing so many old friends. Ernie and I are glad for her, too…glad she is enjoying her retirement.  She worked for the Church a long time…more than three of our nine lives combined, wouldn’t you say, Ernie?  Ernie says that’s about right. 

We, or I should say Sr. Gail and Ruth, redesigned her office so it could be used as a meeting room for RCIA or small groups.  It’s quite nice and they even put a piece of furniture right under the window.  It’s high enough so Ernie and I can get on top of it and look out and watch the birds.  I don’t know if they realized that when they were working on it, but it’s so nice.  Sometimes, I even fall asleep there.

Just when I thought things were settling down, Sr. Gail and Ruth decided to move the Faith Formation (Religious Education) program down to the lower level of the rectory. Trying to cut down on expenses, you know.  It’s really expensive to heat the Parish Center. WHAT A JOB! They even got Ginny involved.  Ruth and Ginny packed up boxes from the Parish Center and Joe and Tom brought them over.  The whole basement was stacked with boxes.  Ernie and I could have had so much fun hiding in the boxes…but…as usual, when it’s time for us to get into a little mischief, I mean, have a little fun all we heard was, “Keep the doors closed so the cats don’t get down there!” Harrumph…”the cats”, like they don’t know our names.  Their loss, we would’ve been a big help sorting things out. Ginny and Ruth worked all of May and June, but the basement (now, they call it the “Lower Level”) looks great.  Tom painted and laid carpet and all the children have new classrooms.  Ernie and I like the atriums best; they have smaller furniture and so many things to help the little ones learn about God.  I get teary-eyed just thinking about all the good things that our catechists and parents do.

The ladies have been really busy working in Mary’s Garden.  It is so nice outside but the leaves have fallen and they are getting the garden ready for its winter sleep.  The birds still visit, though, AND THOSE SQUIRRELS…they come right up to our window and look in to tease us.  Nervy little critters.  I think they see us eating our treats.  Well, they’re not going to get any!  We have to work hard keeping Sr. Gail and the rectory protected.  I don’t see them helping out.  Ernie and I like to sit in the sun room, though, and watch them.  I guess we’re really bird -watchers at heart.  The birds are so friendly and so pretty. I like the way they sing, too.  We, definitely, are NOT skunk-watchers, though.  Apparently, some skunks got in our yard looking to eat the grubs that live in the lawn. Tom and Sister Gail have had a hard time getting rid of these unwanted visitors.  Guess they heard about how nice St. Joseph parish is and they decided they wanted to live here, too…probably thought they could move in with us cats.  They weren’t real friendly though and they didn’t know how to treat other people’s property. They tore up our lawn and made messes….yes, messes.  Don’t they know what a litter box is for!  Anyway, Tom went and got traps from the Animal Shelter and caught them.  I hope they stay away…they give us animals a bad name.  Now, aren’t you glad you read our column…you wouldn’t see this in the bulletin.

Did you notice how nice the parish grounds look?  Especially around the rectory?  Well, Jim Crane has put in a lot of hours trimming trees and cleaning things up. He cleaned the brick pathway in Mary’s garden, took the stones from the front of the rectory and hauled them away.  Then he raked the dirt and it looks so fresh. I’d like to get out there and scratch in the dirt.  But…that’s a no-no ‘round here.  I’m not allowed past the gate in the front area.  (They even squirt me with water, when I try).  And no, I wasn’t goofing off.  I still watch out for the skunks and any critters that may try to get in.  I just like watching Jim.  He seems so happy working in the yard.  I mentioned this to Ruth and she said he’s always friendly and says “hello” every time she comes in.  I think that’s nice.  “Happy” people spread their happiness and makes others happy too…a little redundant, I know, but I don’t know how else to say it.

Well, in closing for this time, Ernie and I both hope you enjoy the autumn weather…it’ll be getting cold soon.  BRRR!  I’m so thankful God gave us fur coats and wonderful people to take care of us.  You stay warm when the cold weather comes and if you go to Florida to get away from the cold weather, be sure you stay in touch by going to our website.  Ruth is working with our webmaster, Lori, on updating it.  We’ll write again (soon) giving you the latest “scoop” on what goes on in the rectory.

Bert & Ernie