ASANTE IS THE SWAHILI WORD FOR   THANK YOU:-

It is my obligation to express sincere GRATITUDE  to God and to all people of Good Will. When I look back or when I look forward, I can't stop but sing Praises to God, Glorify Him.

In September 2005 when I came to St. Edward's I received a folder with Dos and Don'ts. I heard many stories about the desire to fill our Church again. It was expressed that many had left the parish to join other Parishes,  Other Denominations or even just stopped participating in any church. It was the same negative story when we looked at the neighborhood with so many abandoned houses. The rate of Crime in the neighborhood could frighten anyone to take a step in faith to worship peacefully at St. Edward's.

But I must confess that behind all the negatives, I hear the voice of the Lord calling me and any one else to open our Eyes to look at the Blessings. One of the Blessings is the number of People who pass three to four Churches to come to St. Edward. The People on fixed income who have kept the Parish on this corner all through the difficult times. All the Younger and Older  Women and Men who have gone through Fire and yet keep on Pressing Forward. I thank God for them and I thank them.

When I look at the Empty speces in the Pews, I see the elderly and Sick (Home bound and in Nursing homes) who are burning with desire to come and celebrate with the rest but their conditions deny them the opportunity. They Pray for us (A very special Ministy I guess) and Support us in very Many ways. I thank God for them and I thank them. Let them Know how we Love and Pray for them.

When I look at the abandoned houses and the negative images in our neighborhood. I hear a very strong voice asking  "What would Jesus Do?"  Given the situation in the neighborhoods of West Baltimore, we are assured of Employment in an Economy where Unemployment is rising. That is to say, we should be involved and find ways and means to improve. Unfortunatelly our Payment is not in Monetary form but rather in a restored Human dignity and as Jesus said,  hopfully our names will one day be written in the book of Eternal life. I thank God for this too.

I am grateful in a very special way since I see progress each day. This Website is one of the Witnesses. I would like to sincerely thank Mr. Mobley, Stephen who was among the first persons I shared with this Idea of creating a Website for our parish. He has encouraged me all along the way. Thank you Stephen.

Like a shower which leaves the thirsty Earth indebted to it, Ill forever be indebted to Mr. Kayani  Siani. He is the one who made it happen. I did not complete my sentence. His answer was "I will work with you Father. This is the way things are working now. A website will make a difference". And Here we are. You see the Product. Mr. Kayani is doing his Masters in Computer Science and is willing to work with anyone whose  need is to build a website. He can be contacted at  Sianik@hotmail.com    or Phone him at 240-848-5499   . Ndugu  Siani, Ubarikiwe Sana.

AND SPECIAL TO YOU WHO VISIT  THIS SITE.  I BELIEVE YOU WILL HAVE SOME CONTRIBUTIONS TO MAKE IN ORDER THAT THIS SITE BE WHAT IT SHOULD BE.  MAY YOU CONTINUE TO BE BLESSED.