Diocese of Toledo, Ohio

Browsing From the Pastor

August 27th/28th Bulletin Article

August 28, 2022

Dear Parishioners,

Next weekend Bishop Daniel Thomas will be here in the Mansfield area to officially install me as pastor during the Resurrection parish Mass on Saturday evening and the St. Mary parish Mass on Sunday morning. We are very happy to have him with us.

Usually the priest who is the dean for the area parishes (deanery) installs the new pastor. However Bishop Thomas taking time out of his busy schedule to be with us indicates his commitment to our area of the Diocese and his support for us in our new tri-parish configuration. He realizes the difficulty of change and the new challenges that those can bring, but he is also confident in our ability to bring forth growth and goodness from it. Let’s continue to pray and work for that!

There are a number of things to note about the Rite of Installation. First, at the entrance of the church, before the opening hymn and procession, Bishop Thomas entrusts the parish church to me. In doing so, he reminds all of us what the purpose, beauty, and glory of the church building is: a house of prayer, a home where we are spiritually nourished, the dwelling place of God on earth, and therefore a temple of worship. Our lives pass through this sacred space from the moment we first begin to exist in our mother’s womb until the day we leave this earth at death. 

Second, later during the Mass, Bishop Thomas has me renew the promises that I made when I was ordained a priest. Noteworthy of these is the promise to “preach the Gospel and to teach the Catholic faith” along with “imploring God’s mercy upon the people entrusted to your care by observing the command to pray without ceasing.” The last part of that promise is particularly challenging. Although it might seem radical, it is nothing more than Jesus’ instructions for us to “pray always” (Luke 18:1). That’s why I gave up TV and radio over twenty years ago. When we are with God, loneliness and boredom do not exist. 

Through the renewal of priestly promises, the Bishop challenges his priests (we all need to be challenged!) to live fully their priesthood in the same manner as Christ. The Bishop asks: Do you resolve to be united more closely every day to Christ the High Priest, who offered Himself for us to the Father as a pure Sacrifice, and with Him to consecrate yourself to God for the salvation of all? It is good for us priests to be reminded that we are called to offer ourselves, even if great suffering is involved, for the salvation of all. Similarly, this should be true of every Christian according to that person’s vocation.

The last instruction Bishop Thomas will give me is to always be a loving father, a gentle shepherd, and a wise teacher of your people, so that you may lead them to Christ. This directive is perhaps the best summary of what a priest should be. I pray each day that I will live more fully every word of this. Leading people to Christ is both my ultimate goal and my greatest joy!

Humbly and gratefully,         

Fr. Miller

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