A Big Rock

Fr. Paul told this story at Mass:  “A teacher gathered his students together and presented them with a challenge. In front of the class, he placed a large, heavy rock. He asked the students, “Who among you is the strongest?”

Several students raised their hands, eager to prove their might. The teacher pointed to the strongest-looking student and said, “You, go and move this rock.”

The student strained and pushed with all his strength, but the rock remained firmly in place. He tried again and again but to no avail. Finally, exhausted and defeated, he gave up.

The teacher then asked another student, this time a smaller, less imposing one. “Can you move the rock?”

The smaller student smiled, nodded, and gathered the group of students around the rock. Together, they worked in unison, pushing and pulling with coordinated effort. Slowly but surely, the rock began to budge. With a final collective push, they rolled the rock away.

The teacher turned to the class and said, “You see, my friends, strength is not about individual power, but about working together towards a common goal. When we unite our efforts, we can accomplish great things that would be impossible for any one person.”

He then said the “rock” in this story is our sanctuary renovation and the students are us, the parishioners of St. Peter Claver.

Only 18 parishioners have contributed to “move our rock” to return the $46,000 to the church reserves. As in the story, all the students had to work together to be successful. This is a call to action. How will you answer? Your donation, no matter the size, will make a significant difference. Whether it’s a one-time gift or a pledge spread over the next four months, every contribution counts.

Let’s come together as a community to support this project. By doing so, we will ensure that our parish remains a place of faith, worship, and community for generations to come.

Thank you for your generosity and commitment to St. Peter Claver Parish.

Let Us Pray,

Use me, God, show me how to give generously, pray purposefully, and serve joyfully for a purpose greater than myself. Amen.

May God bless you all.

Fr. Paul Vazhapilly

How To Give: Click this link:  https://tinyurl.com/4nuhzwxp to open the online pledge form

• Through this Catholic Sharing Appeal, everything donated through the end of 2024 stays at St. Peter Claver and is used for this project.

• Your donation includes how much you can give between now and the end of 2024, including your current weekly offering.

• All contributions to the campaign are fully tax-deductible for those who itemize their taxes.

• Pledges are not legally binding but instead indicate your intention to donate.

• You can also donate through the form on the SPC webpage: https://spcwv.com/ and see pictures of the work progress.

• You may return the pledge form at the bottom of this flyer with a check payable to Catholic Sharing Appeal with SPC Renovation written in the memo line. Place it in an envelope and drop it in a weekly Sunday collection. or mail it to CSA, P.O. Box 230 Wheeling, WV 26003.

Thank you in advance for your faithful support to St. Peter Claver Parish.