From the Pastor February 7/8

It’s a cliché but it’s one because it is so true. When we feel as if darkness has descended around us, whether it be our country, the Church, or our personal lives, we don’t have to look far to see a bright spot. I felt that way after reading several recent articles about current conditions in the Church.

The discouragement came from a study of the condition of the Church in Latin America. The very reputable Pew Research Center reported some alarming statistics concerning the drop in the number of Latin Americans identifying as Catholic. For centuries Latin America has been the most Catholic area of the world, but that is changing. In the last ten years the number of people identifying as Catholic has dropped by 10-20 % in the various countries. 

The statistics don’t point to an increase in people claiming Protestant or other religious affiliation, but an increase in those professing no religious connection. The Pew survey found the secularization of Latin America is very different from Europe or North America. Belief in God, daily prayer, and the claim faith is important to them, still rank high among the unaffiliated, so things aren’t all bleak. Good evangelization could bring them back to Catholicism.

There is also a glimmer of hope for the Church in Western Europe and the United States. The New Evangelization Pope John Paul II initiated might be beginning to bear fruit. France, Great Britian, Ireland, and the United States show signs of increased interest in the Catholic Church especially among young adults. 

France is experiencing a significant increase in adults seeking baptism. This renewed interest in the Catholic faith in one of the world’s most secular countries, has been called the Notre Dame effect, and results from the fire that seriously damage the Paris landmark several years ago. Since its reopening not only Notre Dame, but many other Cathedrals and religious landmarks, have experienced increased numbers of visitors. The architecture and artwork of these great monuments seems to be stimulating religious enquiry just as they were designed to do in medieval days.

After several decades of scandal, the Catholic Church in Ireland is witnessing a resurgence. Phenomenally, affiliation with the Catholic Church in Britian has surpasses that of the Anglican Church among young adults, GenZ. That is also the case here in the United States. Since its founding, our country has been considered a Protestant country. Recent surveys report that, like England, a slightly larger number of GenZers affiliate with the Catholic Church. That isn’t so much an increase in Catholic affiliation as a smaller slippage among Catholics of this generation than among Protestants. This upswing in Catholic affiliation is being found especially among GenZ young men looking for stability in a fast changing world. 

As a final point, Pope Leo has declared the coming year as a Holy Year to mark the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi. St. Francis, the founder of the Franciscan Order, is famous for a conversion from a life of worldliness to one of service. His conversion was rooted in a call from God to renew His Church. Francis heard it while praying in a dilapidated chapel near Assisi called San Damiano. Francis at first thought it was a call to renovate that chapel. Later he recognized it as a call to renew the spiritual church. May the increase in GenZ’s interest in Catholicism be that longed for spot of sunshine in a dark world. Pray for young people on every continent to imitate St. Francis and to hear and respond to God’s call to renew the Church.

Parish Photographer Needed

The saying is “a picture is worth a thousand words.” Do you enjoy photography? The parish is seeking a volunteer to take photos at various parish events and liturgies. If you have talents and skills in this area, please give the Parish Office a call at 508-945-0677, and offer you skills to the parish. 

Baby Bottle Boomerang 

January was Sanctity of Life Month. Holy Redeemer conducted a Baby Bottle Boomerang as a fundraiser for Your Options Medical Centers. Your Options is an agency that offers pregnant women services such as free ultrasound tests and counseling to help women considering abortion to know all their options before deciding. 

Parishioners participating in the Boomerang should now return their bottles filled with the loose change they receive during January. Baskets are available by the Welcome Desks at the doors of the church.

World Day of the Sick

Wednesday, February 11, was the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. It commemorates the apparition of Our Lady to St. Bernadette. As the result of her appearance a miraculous healing spring came forth and made Lourdes a place of healing. It is also World Day of Prayer for the Sick. This weekend the parish will celebrate the Sacrament of the Sick. This is a sacrament of healing and not The Last Rites.

Who should receive the sacrament?

• People of advanced age.
• Those suffering from a chronic illness.
• Those anticipating an operation or medical procedure in the need future.

Parishioners fitting those criteria will be invited to come to the front of the sanctuary after the homily at all Masses.

Palms For Ashes

Bring last year’s palms to church. We are collecting them to burn to make this year’s Ash Wednesday supply. Collection baskets are available in both lobbies.

Fr. Sullivan on Vacation

Fr. Sullivan will be on vacation this weekend. Fr. Rich Furlong, a retired priest of the diocese, will be subbing for him. Please welcome Fr. Furlong.

Catholic Appeal Honors

Earlier in January the parish was notified we received a $3,000, award as part of the Catholic Appeal Parish Incentive Program for the 2025 Catholic Appeal. Every May the Diocese of Fall River conducts its Catholic Appeal that helps support the ministries and charities of the diocese. Holy Redeemer won the award for having the second highest participation rate in the Cape and Island Deanery. Our rate was 14.1% of our parishioners contributing to the Appeal. Thank you to all those parishioners who contributed to the Appeal. Let’s shoot for #1 in 2026.