Diocese of Toledo, Ohio

Browsing From the Pastor

News around the parishes as seen by Deacon Al

Hello Brothers and Sisters of St. Mary and Resurrection. This is my annual Pastoral Letter; Fr. Beaver is on a much deserved vacation and so he left the door open for me. So what’s new from my perspective.

First it’s not news that our Mass times have changed that much we all know. But, that is not the only change. For the foreseeable future the deacons (Tom and I) will not be swapping parishes. I’m not exactly sure why. It was suggested to Fr. Beaver that this would enable each deacon to be more visible to the people of the parish in which he resides. I enjoy serving at the altar at Resurrection and of course I always enjoy serving at St. Mary. In both parishes I have had the privilege of meeting some wonderful Catholic Christians. It’s knowing you that gives me hope for our planet.

One other point; Tom and I had been preaching and assisting on the second weekend at our home parish and doing the same on the last weekend only, Tom was at St. Mary and I was at Resurrection. We will now be on the fourth weekend (not sometimes the fifth); only now it will be Deacon Tom at Resurrection and I at St. Mary. Fr. Beaver, Deacon Tom and I will be reviewing this and other topics in early August.

Also Fr. Beaver has given preliminary permission to have a blurb for the deacons in the bulletin. This is still in early formulation so we need to discuss this too and check with the parish secretaries on space and timing. I for one would like to communicate with you more than once a year in this format and I think Deacon Tom may think the same.

Finally, we are facing some very real headwinds as parishes. The toll of the priest shortage; inopportune and limited mass times; non-resident pastors. This leads to lower mass attendance. The general disdain of some for our faith and practices create an environment that can make us worry and wonder. But brothers and sisters we do have a loving God and a lively faith. Jesus tells us that to follow Him will be difficult. Trials are a part of our life especially as Christians. According to Saint Peter when we face our trials with faith, that faith becomes even stronger - more precious than gold (1 Peter 1:3-9). 

Anyway, if you have read this far, I thank you. Let us pray for each other, our parishes, and all our church especially in these daunting times for people of faith.

May God bless and keep you always.

Your Brother in Christ.

Deacon Al

 

Subscribe

RSS Feed

Archive


Access all blogs

Subscribe to all of our blogs