What we tolerate and what we celebrate
To say that it has been an interesting couple of months is an understatement. Everyone has experienced numerous forms of grief and loss as parishioners. But at the same time there have also been instances of sublime beauty and growth. Examples include baptizing a child, sitting down with a couple that has just gotten engaged; seeing children, parents, and grandparents get excited to have a priest at a sporting event; seeing experienced staffs excited for the possibilities our Family presents; and hearing Confessions for the entire time on the schedule for Confessions. In short, I think we should set aside time to celebrate the good things that have transpired in our Family of Parishes! We will have a couple of opportunities for us to celebrate together with two MASS PLUS events. The first will follow the 11:00 a.m. Mass at Holy Angels on November 27, and the second will follow the 11:00 a.m. Mass at St. Michael on December 11. These will be opportunities for you to ask questions about the Catholic faith that will be answered by your priests… and there will be chili!!!
When we attempt to set a course as a parish, it is important for us to reflect on what it is that we celebrate. What are the things we want to hold up as examples to admire and celebrate? Our goal is to become saints; saints that are centered on and devoted to our Lord Jesus Christ’s True Presence in the Eucharist. It is also to build friendships centered in Christ that push us towards sainthood. We need to celebrate these three things that are primary in our lives of Faith and the life our parishes. Try to encourage and compliment the ways you see people striving to be saints, showing love for our Eucharistic Lord, and seeking authentic and holy friendships.
What we tolerate also exemplifies what we value. For example, if a sports team permits players to skip out on team meetings and practice, then the message team members get is that practice is not important. No one says this verbally; and, although they may not even consciously think that themselves, nonetheless skipping practice becomes the norm. In the same way, we should remember that we need to be careful of the behaviors we practice as Catholics that can undermine our mission. When we speak poorly of our parishes, other parishioners, or our priests, this gossipy behavior undermines our goal to make our parishes places where people encounter others striving to be saints, where they encounter our Lord in the Eucharist, and where they have opportunities to make holy friendships. We do tolerate people trying to be better and seeking to overcome sinful tendencies.
We do tolerate open and honest conversations where we can come to a better understanding of the truth. We will have a couple of opportunities for you to come speak with me about the Family of Parishes. I am calling these opportunities “Tavern Talks.” First, on Saturday, November 19 from 12:00-2:00 p.m. at Patrick’s Pub in McCartyville, I will be having lunch and talking to anyone that comes. I will be at Greenhaus Coffee in Sidney on Friday, December 2 from 1:00-3:00 p.m., sitting in the back with a coffee. On Sunday, December 18 from 1:30-3:30 p.m., I will be enjoying a cold brew at the Brew Bank in Fort Loramie. I hope this will allow me to speak on an individual level to your concerns and help you to understand better what is going on in our Family of Parishes. Again, coming to share affirmations is also welcomed!
Thank you to Diane Gigadent who will be leaving the parish office at St. Michael to take another position. She has worked for many years in the office, and we will miss the wealth of knowledge and experience she brought each day to work. I will personally miss the great conversations I have had with her in my time at the St. Michael/Ss. Peter and Paul office. Please do not forget to thank her for her generous service to the Lord and His Church.
Peace in Christ,
Fr.JarredKohn