From the Pastor November 8/9

Go and Make Disciples

All the Gospels, in various ways, state how the risen Jesus encouraged the apostles to share his message with others. The most explicit statement being in Matthew 28:19-20. This command was revolutionary for Jews. The gospels mention converts to Judaism but Jews don’t explicitly evangelize. People who desired to become Jews self-initiated the process. They were like the Roman Centurian Corneilus who in the Book of Acts sent a request to Peter to come and preach to him and his household. They became Peter’s first converts. The Book of Acts tells of thousands becoming disciples at the first Pentecost but these were doubtlessly men who were already Jews. 

Christian evangelism really started with Paul. He first preached the Gospel of Jesus only to Jews. They weren’t all that responsive but Paul recognized that Gentiles were more interested in his message about Jesus. Paul hoped that the positive response of the Gentiles would cause the Jews to be jealous and they would become more inclined towards Jesus’ message. Evangelization is a big part of being Christian. By preaching, prayer, and example Christians are called to share faith in Jesus. 

There isn’t that much I share with Vice President J.D. Vance but the belief that Christians need to share our faith is one. Vance, who was brought up in a nominally Evangelical Christian family, became a Catholic in 2019. He caught criticism from some quarters recently because he expressed the prayer that his wife Usha, who is Hindu, would someday become a Catholic. Vance says he and his wife have decided to bring their three children up as Catholics. His oldest son is baptized and received his First Communion a year ago. 

I don’t believe the hope for everyone in a family to share the same faith is a bad one. In many cases family unity on a host of issues is a positive good. That doesn’t mean anyone should be pressured to decide on faith or any other issue. Any conversion to Christianity must be done in freedom. Historically, Christians have participated in forced conversions such as the Spanish Inquisition. They are a stain on our history.

The 2nd Vatican Council explicitly addressed Catholic beliefs about how the conversion process needs to be respectful of other religious beliefs. It addressed the importance of religious liberty in the document Dignitatus Humanae, On the Dignity of the Human Person, Ecumenism, relationships with other Christian churches, in Unitastis redintegratio, and non-Christian religions in the document Nostra Aetate. Nostra Aetate stated that there are kernels of truth in all religions including the Hindu faith. 

While Catholics need to recognize the good values of other religions we can’t fall into religious indifference. All religions are not alike and it does matter that Christianity is the fullness of God’s revelation. As disciples of Jesus Christ, we can’t just be willing to let others find their own way to Jesus Christ. We need to bear witness to our children, husbands, wives, family, friends, and neighbors. We need to guide them to be open to the Good News of Jesus Christ, come to the desire for salvation, and a relationship of love with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 

Unless the Lord Builds” 2025 Capital Campaign 

The 2025 Capital Campaign has so far received donations and pledges of $XXXX. Our goal is to raise $750,000. Proceeds from the Capital Campaign will be used for various capital improvements to the parish facilities. The largest project will be replacing the cedar shingles on Holy Redeemer with siding to match the new addition at a cost of $350,000. The siding is made of a composite material that will last much longer than the shingles. Replacement windows for the Rectory and cosmetic improvements at Our Lady of Grace and the Rectory are also planned. The last big ticket item is improvements to the Holy Redeemer Lot. Please prayerfully reflect on your making a truly sacrificial gift to the 2025 “Unless God Builds the House” Capital Campaign. 

Follow the Footprints to the Ministry Fair 

Plan to join us this weekend November 8-9, for the Holy Redeemer Parish Ministry Fair. We are building a great parish here at Holy Redeemer and so many people are involved, but we want you involved too. People are active volunteers as Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, Choir members, and Greeters. Some are active in the Woman’s Club, Bereavement Group and St. Vincent de Paul Society. Small Faith Sharing Group are a major way to become more active in the parish community. Over the last year we have organized a Building Maintenance Squad and Gardening Ministry. We are setting up a Knitting Ministry this year. There is a place where everyone in the parish can contribute to making Holy Redeemer even better. Come to the Fair! Refreshments will be served. 

November Book of the Dead

November is the traditional month for Catholics to pray for the souls of the faithfully departed. Annually the parish compiles a Book of the Dead listing the names of parishioners who died last year and those of our faithful departed. The book will be reverenced with incense at the beginning of weekend Masses throughout November. 

Advent Woman’s Retreat

The Advent Women’s Retreat sponsored by the Diocese of Fall River is being held again this year on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at Corpus Christi Church, E. Sandwich from 9 am-2:30 pm. Featured presenters will be Catherine DiNuzzo, international speaker and Licensed Professional Counselor, and podcaster, and author Allison Gingras, well known to Holy Redeemer parishioners, and Liz Cotrupi-Pfunder Catholic musician and songwriter. Cost for the day is $20 per person. That includes Morning Mass, Continental breakfast, Lunch, Eucharistic Adoration, and celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. To register, visit: https://bit.ly/AWR2025.

Hurricane Melissa Has A Human Face

A second collection will be taken up this weekend for victims of Hurricane Melissa with a connection to the parish. One of the housekeepers from the cleaning service that cleans the rectory and church is a native of Montego Bay, Jamacia. Her family lost their home and possessions in the storm. We can’t make them whole again but maybe our collection can help them get a new foothold. Please be generous to the second collection today.

Mental Health Ministry

Mental Health is of deep concern today. Representatives from Catholic Social Services will visit the parish on November 13, 2025, at 4 pm to discuss establishing a mental health ministry in our parish. The ministry is meant to be one of accompaniment and not hands on therapy. If you have experience working with mental health issues or want to learn more about it come an listen to the presentation.