PROPERTY OF U.P.EL I am happy to extend a word of greeting and of congratulations to the pastor and people of St . Joachim's Parish, Vernon River on the occasion of the celebration of the hundredth anniversary of the building of the present church. (This will be a special opportunity to offer prayers of thanksgiving ,to God for the zeal, dedication, generosity and faithfulness of the priests and laity who during these years and in this church have helped to fulfill worthily the mission of this venerable parish community. Your fellow diocesans also will give thanks to the Lord for these ten decades of devoted stewardship and service. During this period of time in this church, the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been preached to you and countless relatives and friends, and His grace has been given abundantly through the Mass and the Sacraments. People have been strengthened in their faith, given light, encouragement and wisdom for their lives, and perfected in the love of God and of one another. We pray that God may continue to bless the parish of St . Joachim's. May your lives be filled always with the joy, hope and consolation that comes from the presence of Jesus Christ in your midst. In the words of Saint Peter we pray that "Grace and peace be with you more and more" (1 Peter 1:2). ? Most Reverend Francis J . Spence, Bishop of April 11,1977