From the Pastor May 24/25

Let’s All Do Our Part

After one of the Masses last weekend Deacon Art told me a parishioner asked him if the Catholic Appeal provided any incentives to parishes. He didn’t know but told them he would ask me. So, here is the answer, Yes! There is a new incentive developed this year. The Catholic Appeal is awarding three prizes worth a total of $10,000 to parishes in each Deanery. We are part of the Cape Cod Deanery which includes all the parishes on the Cape and Islands. First prize is $5,000, second $3,000 and third $2,000. The prizes will be awarded to the parishes with the highest percentage of households donating to the Appeal. That makes things fairer for a smaller parish like our own. If we win a prize it comes with no strings attached and can be spent however we like.

Last year 146 of our roughly 750 parish households contributed to the Catholic Appeal. That is only a 5% participation rate. Imagine the powerful impact we could accomplished if we doubled or tripled our participation rate? 

This week I solicited several members of the parish to help increase our participation rate. We’re going to compile a combined list of parishioners who donated to last year’s Catholic Appeal, those who contribute to our Annual Collection, use Budget Envelopes, or contribute online. Beginning in June they’ll be giving parishioners who haven’t donated to the Appeal yet this year a friendly call to remind them of the Appeal and encourage their participation. Obviously, they have better ways to spend their time, so please make your Catholic Appeal donation today. 

Early this month registered household received a mailing about the Catholic Appeal. It included a brochure describing the good donations to the Appeal accomplish, and a pledge card. Making a pledge and spreading the payments over the year often help us make a larger gift. Does your employer or former employer, if we are retired, offer to match your gifts? You can make your secure gift or pledge online today at www.GiveFRDiocese.org.

This year’s 84th Catholic Appeal’ theme is Hope Lights the Way and reflects the theme of this Holy Year. It speaks to the many ways our world is yearning for the light of Christ’s love and how this light can build a brighter and more hopeful future within our Church. DOGE is taking a chainsaw to many federal safety net programs and services. The aged, children and those in need are having benefits cut and assistance programs eliminated. The Church can’t possibly fill the gaps completely but we need to do our best to help those adversely impacted.

Recently, the Diocese of Fall River opened the Faustina Center. It is an island of mercy for families. Named for St. Faustina, the Divine Mercy saint it supports the dignity of the family by strengthening those who face difficult pregnancies through providing education, material resources, spiritual support, and community referrals. The center, operated by the Family and Respect Life Office of the Diocese of Fall River, is located in Fall River, runs by appointment only and operates on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. With your financial support to the Catholic Appeal maybe its hours could be expanded or a satellite one established here on Cape Cod. Your gift to the Catholic Appeal addresses so many of the dire social problems and helps support efforts to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with a world seeking solace and peace.

Make your secure gift or pledge online today at www.GiveFRDiocese.org.

Happy Memorial Day Weekend

This year we celebrate an early Memorial Day Weekend. It is the symbolic opening to the High Summer Season. Over the last few weeks, we have been welcoming back our seasonal and summer residents. Memorial Day has its roots as a day to remember our war dead and has become a sort of secular spring All Souls Day to remember all of our dead. We pray everyone will enjoy the holiday safely and may all our dead receive the mercy of a loving God in Heaven. 

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. 

Congratulations Teresa Lim 

Teresa Lim, our Music Director, will be graduating from a Spiritual Direction Certificate Program at Francis House of Prayer, Allentown, N.J. on June 5. Best wishes on your accomplishment. Here is a prayer to say for Teresa and those who offer spiritual guidance. 

Heavenly Father, we thank you for the gift of spiritual direction. 

and for providing Teresa Lim to guide us 

on our spiritual journey here at our Holy Redeemer. 

We ask you to send down the power of the Holy Spirit upon her, 

your wisdom and discernment to be with her as she leads her directees.

Bless her with strength and grace to help us grow closer to you. 

Grant her peace and joy in her spiritual service, 

and may her guidance be a source of comfort and inspiration for all of us. 

We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen.

If you would like to learn more about Spiritual Direction stop and talk with her after Mass. 

Women’s Club Thank You

The Holy Redeemer Women’s Club thanks everyone who attended the Rose Clancy Trio concert on May 17th. Your support of this fundraiser, as well as our Christmas Greens sale, enables the Holy Redeemer Women’s Club to make some generous donations. A substantial donation was made to the Chatham Children’s Fund over the Christmas season. The HRWC also purchased a new refrigerator for the parish kitchen and is helping to beautify the church with a donation of a tree and flowers at the front entrance. Thank you to everyone that has made this possible.