From the Pastor May 10/11

I Could Kick Myself

It is Sunday afternoon as I write this and the Conclave to elect a new pope won’t open for a few days but I’m thinking about leadership in the Church. Not so much its international as its local leadership. I’m thinking about the need for priestly vocations in our diocese.

We can’t do everything but sometimes we regret missing opportunities. I feel that way about not implementing the Called by Name Program a few months ago. Called by Name is a vocations awareness program and it was promoted by the Diocesan Vocations Office several months ago. I didn’t follow through with conducting it here in the parish for a couple of reasons. One was the request for it came late. I was told about it only a couple of weeks before it was intended to happen and as you know we like to preach in homily series at Holy Redeemer. We were in the midst of a series and to preach about vocations would have disrupted the flow. Besides, we don’t have very many young people in our parish. I believed talking about vocations in the middle of winter in a parish with a demographic of mostly retirees didn’t seem worthwhile. So, I skipped the opportunity and continued with my plans. 

Now I feel I might have lost a good opportunity. No sooner had the weekend to preach on Called By Name come and gone and two parishioners told me they had grandsons who might be thinking about entering the seminary. Maybe Holy Redeemer Parish is a more fertile seedbed for vocations than I think. If you have family members who might consider a religious vocation, even ones who don’t live in our parish, consider encouraging them.

Overall, the Called By Name initiative was a success in our diocese. Over a hundred name of men parishioners believed should be contacted about considering a vocation to the priesthood were submitted. They range in age from young teenagers to several older men in their fifties. While not a direct result of the program, four men have applied to enter the seminary in September. The most in quite a few years. Please keep them in your prayers. I’m not getting younger. 

Today is Vocations Awareness Sunday throughout the Church. The Gospel passage today comes from the Good Shepherd Discourse in John’s Gospel where Jesus uses the image of a good shepherd to describe the qualities of a leader of the Church. Early in his pontificate the late Pope Francis urged pastors and all priest to “smell like the sheep.” He wanted priests to have close contact with their parishioners. Francis wanted them to be so close that they picked up the scent of the flock and become one of them. If you know young men with those qualities encourage them to consider the priesthood. I can attest the life of a priest is fulfilling and has great rewards. I’ve enjoyed every minute, well almost every minute of my priesthood. 

Honoring Mother’s Day

A happy Mother’s Day to all mothers and those women who in some way offer a mother’s role. May is the month Catholics honor the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of our Lord in a special way. Heartfelt prayers for all mothers. May God especially bless them today.

“Hope Lights the Way”

The 84th Annual Catholic Appeal began May 1. This year’s theme is “Hope Lights the Way” in honor of the Holy Year of Hope. Since 1942, the Appeal has supported people in all phases of life – from children, to youth, to parents, to the elderly. Gifts to the Catholic Appeal sustain the work of our Diocese, including numerous agencies, programs, and ministries providing food and shelter, educating children and adults, and meeting the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of thousands. We encourage you to support the Appeal as generously as you can. You can make a one-time gift or a pledge with convenient payments throughout the year. 

Registered parishioners recently received a mailing that contained a brochure describing the works and agencies supported by the Appeal, and a pledge card. Extra brochures and contribution card are located in pew book rakes, or make your gift or pledge online at: www.GiveFRDiocese.org. 

As your pastor I put an emphasis on supporting the Catholic Appeal. Besides the parish itself, the Catholic Appeal is one of the charities to which I make the largest contribution. I donate 2.5 % of my income to it. Last year 146 Holy Redeemer parishioners donated $51,503.50 to the Appeal. We would like to increase our donations by 10 % this year. That is a monetary goal of $57,000 and a donor base increase of 15 to 160. I hope you will consider making a generous donation to this 84th annual Catholic Appeal.

Lower/Outer Cape Young Adult Group Forming

A Young Catholic Adult Group for those aged 19-35 is being formed in the Lower/Outer Cape Area to socialize, play, and pray together. If you are interested in joining, please contact Colin Murphy at YACapeCod@gmail.com 

We Have a Dream

Deacon Art La Chance will assume the role of Parish Business Manager when Howard Whelden retires at the end of June but we have a bigger dream. It is to employ Deacon Art full-time as a Pastoral Associate. The problem is we can’t afford that now. We would need to increase our weekly collection by about 15% to pay for the additional costs. When was the last time you increased your donation to the parish? Like your own household we have faced increased expenses over recent years. What would contributing a percentage of your income look like? Can you get out of the habit of donating a set monetary amount and donate 2%, 3% or maybe even 5% of income to the parish to pay for spreading the gospel in our community? There is no better use for your wealth than to help make the name of Jesus Christ better known in Chatham. 

2nd Annual Local Diocesan Walk for Life +

Next Saturday May 17th, 2025, is the date for the 2nd Annual Diocesian Walk for Life. This

prayer filled day will be held on the grounds of the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette, Park Street, (Rte. 152) in Attleboro. It includes a Rosary for Life, Address by Keynote Speaker, Alicia Kowalski, Mass with Most Rev. Edgar Da Cunha, S.D.V., D.D., a Prayer Walk (about 1 mile, mostly flat) to Cyril M. Angell Park and Adoration of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Transport will be provided by the Cape Cod Pro-Life Alliance & the Corpus Christi Respect Life Committee. Call Ellen 508.292.4346 for more details

Diocesan Council of Catholic Women May Meeting

The Fall River Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (DCCW) will meet for its Annual Meeting and breakfast on Saturday, May 17, at Annunciation of the Lord Parish in Taunton. All women of the Diocese are invited to take part. It will begin with a 9 a.m. Mass, to be followed by a catered breakfast in the church hall. Guest presenter will be Allison Gingras, who will speak on “Mary, the Rosary, and Our Well-Being.” A short meeting will follow. The cost is $28.00. Check may be made payable to FRDCCW and mailed to Judy Corliss, 193 Tremont St., Unit 19, Taunton, MA 02780. Annunciation of the Lord Parish is located at 31 First St., Taunton, MA. The DCCW endeavors to offer programs and projects that respond with Gospel values to the needs of the Church and society. Its membership is made up of women from various parishes of the Fall River Diocese. If you have any questions, please call DCCW President Ann Marie Melanson at 508-631-0533 or by email frdccwannmarie@gmail.com