Dear MorningStars,

Please let me be a little nostalgic, mixed with a whole lot of gratitude. I call you "Stars" because that's what you've been over the last seven years, tiny twinkling gems all the way up to supernovas.

I'm very aware of all of you as I complete my service as President of the Board of MorningStar Renewal Center, the Archdiocesan retreat house. Who would have guessed in 2004, when the Dominican Sisters were forced to put the Retreat House up for sale. we would have gone through as much as we have or accomplished as much as we have accomplished? It's been quite a journey!

At that time a group of people came together with the purpose of trying to figure out how to save the retreat house. Now, seven years later after saving the retreat house (not only once, but two times), there are exponentially more groups of people coming together on these sacred grounds week after week to figure out a much bigger salvation story - their own! Thanks be to God for you, the  stars who have generously and tirelessly made this a reality over the last seven years!

When I try to list the names of the wonderful people who have literally kept MorningStar going, some have passed on, some have moved, but many of you are still there shining brighter than you may even be aware of! I write to thank you and to beg you to continue your mission of remaining the solid rock on which MorningStar can continue to be built. Some of you have shared time, many of your have shared talent, and an amazing number of you have shared treasure. Everything from hot sweet and sour peppers to dishwashing to large checks& all of it matters. You matter and guess what? We're not done yet!

Just as I finish my last term on the Board, I bring you the ecstatic news that I received from Archbishop Wenski. The property debt of $2.3 million for MorningStar has been paid off by the Archdiocese and is considered a subsidy granted to the retreat house without any expectation to being paid back! The Archbishop values this holy ground and we are grateful for his wisdom to retire the debt on the MorningStar property.

So, though I bid the Board farewell, you can see we are poised for great things in the next chapter of MorningStar. I will continue my prayer, my cheerleading and my financial support, and I hope that you will too. Thank you for being there through the years, for shining as bright as you do, and for making the Board and the staff's job easier by continuing your support. Let Jim McDonald, the new President and Sue DeFerrari, our Director par excellence, as well our small but mighty staff Ellen, Tati, Daniel, Luis and Celia know you are there and that you care. 

With my prayers and gratitude, I'm yours.

In Jesus,                                                                                      

Fr. Jim Fetscher

Click here to join Fr. Fetscher in giving a gift in thanksgiving for MorningStar!