From the Pastor August 23/24

The Most Popular Person in America

A recent Gallup poll discovered that among Americans, Pope Leo is by far the most popular of fourteen global figures. After a little more than 100 days as pope he has a +46 rating. The poll found 57% of American’s approved of Leo and only 11% expressed an unfavorable opinion. 

Over the short time he has been pope, Leo has appeared to be a reserved person who is humble, with great internal peace and serenity. While he doesn’t go around hugging people and taking selfies with the crowds like Francis, he has displayed a spontaneous side. 

One of his advantages leading to his popularity is that he speaks fluent English, the first native English-speaking pope since Adrian IV, who was pope from 1154-59, and Spanish, the two most common Catholic languages. He also speaks Italian fluently which together with his humility and the fact he smiles has endeared him to the people of Rome. People say Leo looks like he is enjoying being pope. He appears to be a hard worker, too. Something else that endears him to observers.

Leo comes across as a listener and not someone given to quick, spontaneous, decisions. Observers say his style is deliberate. He likes to slow things down so he can listen before he makes them. When he makes decisions, they are deliberate and convey strong spiritual leadership.

Leo has a well-developed internal spirit to make his own decisions and develop his own style of leadership. As a case in point, he has decided to re-establish the Papal Apartments as his home. Francis had lived in a room of the Santa Marta Hotel at the Vatican. He has re-established the tradition of using the Lake Albano papal retreat at Castel Gandolfo for a few weeks of summer vacation. Pope Francis didn’t travel outside of Rome on vacations preferring “staycations” in the Vatican where he only lightened his work schedule. Leo has also renewed wearing some of the uniquely papal regalia.

While Leo has been working to establish his own style and personality as pope, he has stated he will continue to pursue many of the issues Pope Francis addressed. His first desire is to address unity in the Church and the world. In late November, Pope Leo is expected to travel to modern day Turkey to celebrate the 1700th Anniversary of the first Ecumenical Council of the Church at Ephesus. There he will meet with other Christian leaders.

Leo has said he wants to further implement collegiality and synodality in the Church. He sees himself as a bridge builder for the world. He pledges to continue much of Pope Francis’ work to safeguard the environment, work to protect minors and the vulnerable from abuse in the Church, and advocate for migrants.

By the choice of the name, Leo, he has signaled that like the last pope named Leo, he wants to advocate for workers and human dignity. Many expect his first encyclical will focus on Artificial Intelligence and its threat to the dignity of work and human beings. Pope Leo is a hit and much appreciated by people, both Catholics and non-Catholics around the world. 

CECH Walk Results

Thank you to everyone who supported Fr. Sullivan’s CECH Walk this summer. On August 6, he and four other parishioners walked from the church, along Main Street to Sam Ryder Road and back by the bike path. As of Monday, he raised $5,014. The Chatham Ecumenical Council for the Homeless (CECH) is a local group working to help keep our neighbors facing the threat of homelessness because of financial challenges. 

On another housing matter the Chatham Zoning Board of Appeals held a hearing on various zoning wavers for the development of affordable housing on the land across Meetinghouse Road from Our Lady of Grace Chapel. The land was sold to the Town of Chatham by Holy Redeemer Parish with the stipulation it would be used for affordable housing. The sale price was well below what could have been its market value. Holy Redeemer made a sacrifice for all our neighbors. 

Unfortunately, the issue was tabled without explanation from the board until the next meeting on Thursday, September 4. 2025, at 2 pm. Thank you to several parishioners who accompanied Fr. Sullivan to the meeting. Hopefully, even more will come to the September meeting and the issue will be addressed and variances voted on then. 

Unless the Lord Builds 2025 Capital Campaign

The Lord is building the house we call Holy Redeemer Church. Sunday Fr. Sullivan mentioned in his homily the wonderful positive feedback he so often receives regarding the renovations to Holy Redeemer Church. He told us what even more gratifying is when people complement the spiritual life of the parish. The Lord is certainly sending the Holy Spirit among us, helping us grow in faith. We want to continue fostering that growth.

We want to continue renovating both our physical and spiritual church. To do that we are beginning the 2025 Capital Campaign to raise $750,000 over the next three years for several projects. Our first priority is to replace the cedar shingles on the main church with composite vinyl siding to match the exterior of the new addition. Our parking lot will get a new entrance from Old Harbor Road, resurfacing, and relined into conventional stall parking spaces. Several projects at Our Lady of Grace Chapal and the rectory are also planned.

This week registered parishioners received a letter from Fr. Sullivan, a project brochure, and pledge card asking for your gift to the Capital Campaign. In 2022 Holy Redeemer parishioners gave gifts totaling $1.26 million for the parish renovations. More than half of that amount was from gifts of $2,500 or less. More than 90% of them were made as one-time payments. What would a truly sacrificial gift to the Capital Campaign look like for you? If you gave one of those gifts, could you double or triple it if you spread it over three years? Please prayerfully reflect on your gift to the Capital Campaign and make it as generous as possible.