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  OLDP Update
  
   

           If you haven’t heard, by now, or seen the large mock-up of the Check in the Narthex, the Spring Fest final tally was $50,000, which was not bad, at all, considering this was our first “Fair” since 2019, and lots of people had assumed that OLDP couldn’t do it, for a number of reasons.
       
  Well, despite the “nay-sayers” so many wonderful volunteers, sponsors, donors, and friends of OLDP, stepped up and came together again and proved that we can still put on a great “Fair”! Of course, having Bubba Villarrubia at the helm, once again, as Fest Chairperson, really helped make it happen. It amazes me the months of work that goes into putting all of this together and how dedicated and meticulous Bubba is. Of course, he has done it for many years, truly knows his stuff, and it really pays off for OLDP. And Bubba knows how to put together a great team to help coordinate. Mary and Sam Lovecchio were right there at the months of meetings, making contacts and phone calls, giving advice, and tossing around ideas, long before the Fest was a go. Plus, it helped to have a do-it-all guy like Tommy Thomas (and son, Matthew) going “all in” for whatever was needed.
  
        Thanks to everyone who added their efforts to fulfilling the game plan that was put together by Bubba and his team, which resulted in another successful Spring Fest, and $50,000, which is nothing to sneeze at. However, the money won’t sit idle very long, though. We need to replace one of the 10-ton Air Condition units, in the Bahan Center Cafeteria, at a cost of about $22,000, and we will probably need to replace the other unit (they are both pretty old) next year.
  
        Another wish list item I have had for several years since some of the outside trashcans disappeared, and one of the stainless-steel tables disappeared out of the Bahan Kitchen, and someone grabbed a money box and ran with it at one of our Fairs years ago, was to have a security monitor system installed with cameras that can see who is coming and going, and when, on our campus. This system may run between $10,000 to $12,000 but we would like to have that done before the fall.
  
        Just a reminder that if you are going on vacation, for the summer, please don’t take a vacation from going to Church. There are many apps and websites available now that can find Catholic Churches, no matter where you go, so, there really isn’t an excuse for not attending Sunday Mass if you plan ahead. In fact, people often find that some of the Catholic Churches in other states and countries are quite beautiful and worth stopping in.
  
        And please don’t be ashamed or embarrassed to ask those you might be staying with to give you a ride to Mass or invite them to go with you. You might be surprised at the result. If you don’t invite them some people might just assume you don’t want them to go with you while others may be hoping that you will ask.
       
  
     God bless you,
  Fr. Mike