April 10, 2016- Third Sunday of Easter

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Faith:

As many of you know because you were present at

the time, a recent funeral luncheon was interrupted

by the collapse of our friend, Linda Berry, wife of

our home town funeral director, Ralph Berry. Sad-
ly, Linda died a short while later at the hospital.

Her death has drawn attention to the fact that our

facilities — St. Vincent de Paul and St. Patrick

Churches, and the halls at both sites — are not

equipped with defibrillators. It is not for me to say

whether or not Linda would have survived if there

had been a defibrillator handy, but several people

have approached me asking about the possibility

of obtaining and installing such devices in our

churches and halls.

I have been told that a good new defibrillator would

cost in the neighborhood of $1,500. On top of that

would be the need to have them installed in each

of our buildings. We are fortunate to have in our

parish several individuals who already are trained

to operate defibrillators, and more could be trained

and ready if (God forbid) another such emergency

should arise.

Because of these considerations I am asking at

this weekend’s Masses for the people of the parish

to consider making a one-time special contribution

to a fund specifically earmarked for the purchase

of four defibrillators for our facilities. I am sure you

can all understand the need to have this special

life-saving equipment on hand. It would be my

hope and prayer they would never be needed, but I

believe it is best to be prepared in case of emer-
gencies such as we experienced four weeks ago.

I hope you have a Christ-filled week!

St. Vincent de Paul, pray for us!

May the Holy Spirit always be with you.

Deacon Mike