To My Spiritual Family of Holy Redeemer and St. Anthony,
Welcome Fr. McElrath & Fr. Renne: With me being in Indianapolis this weekend at the National Catholic Youth Conference, it is a pleasure to welcome Fr. Ian McElrath to our parish for the Saturday Mass, and Fr. David Renne for the Sunday Masses. Fr. McElrath – Fr. “Mac” as he is affectionately known – was my student at Kennedy Catholic High School. He was also, arguably, the most brilliant student that I ever had the privilege of teaching in my 15-years of high school ministry! As you can imagine, I am very proud that he became a priest. He is a busy priest, for sure. Fr. Mac is the chaplain at Mercyhurst Prep, the Chaplain at Mercyhurst University, and he also oversees the Traditional Latin Mass apostolate. Fr. David, a Punxsutawney native, is a theology professor at Gannon University and he is also the Vice-Rector of St. Mark Seminary in Erie, where he works with our native son, Fr. Scott Jabo. Fr. David, too, is a well-studied and well-learned priest. And oh by the way, his mother has been working in the dental office at Warren State Hospital. It is a privilege to welcome both of them here this weekend.
So Much Good: It’s easy enough to get caught up in the negativity and hopelessness that our world so often engenders. Maybe too easy! That is not the way of Christ, though. He is the God of perseverance and hope! Praised be Jesus, so much good is happening in our Catholic community! Here are some examples: (1) A parishioner stopped me after Sunday Mass to say how much he loves to see all the babies in the church. Amen to that! What a blessing to have young families worshipping here! (2) We have nine people in our OCIA program preparing to enter the Catholic Church at Easter time. That is an incredible blessing! (3) The women’s bible study, Walking with Purpose, and Toby Miller’s current class on salvation, are both thriving. (4) Recently, a couple shared with a couple here that although they do not belong to this parish, they like coming here for Mass because they feel loved. What a humbling affirmation of our parish family! (5) New faces are being seen at our daily weekday Masses, and the familiar faces continue to offer us an example of Eucharistic fidelity. Beautiful! (6) And 30-some of our area teenagers are at NCYC this weekend. Those kids are a testament that the Church is alive and ever young! We thank God for these “visible” blessings. Yet we know that “invisible” blessings abound as well. God’s most important work within a parish family is often done in silence, in stillness, and in humble hiddenness. After all, that is the way our Savior entered this world at Bethlehem. Be of good cheer! The goodness of God will always and ultimately defeat the evil of darkness.
A Challenge for You: Holy Redeemer Parish maintains the following as our Core Values: (1) Authentic Witness – Christ is the center of all that we do and all that we are; (2) Pour Yourself Out – Selfless humility and willingness to sacrifice for others; (3) No Surrender – perseverance in the face of any struggle. My challenge to you is this: Determine which of these values that you consider you’re weakest in living out. Then, take a committed and positive step to improve. Don’t just think about. Do something about it. I’d love to hear the stories of your victories! God bless and know that I am praying for you from NCYC!
Mary, Mother of the Redeemer – Pray for us! Our Lady of Guadalupe – Pray for us! St. Anthony – Pray for us! St. Joseph – Pray for us!