What a fantastic celebration we had at St. John last Sunday to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the dedication of the church! Thanks to everyone who helped to make it happen...to the members of the combined choir and the handbell choir and to our music director, Bob Mason; to all of the liturgical ministers who served and to our sacristan, Lynn Zabkar, for keeping everything organized; to all the members of the planning committee who worked through the summer to pull it all together; to everyone who contributed photos and other memorabilia; and to everyone who made donations to help cover our expenses. A special thanks to Fuggenthaler Catering for providing a wonderful spread for all to enjoy and to Jason Brinker and the Lopatich-Brinker Funeral Home for providing the commemorative prayer cards. I am also grateful to my brother priests and deacons for their presence; they enjoyed having a chance to catch up with all of you as much as you enjoyed catching up with them. I pray that our celebration may be a source of strength for the St. John Parish Family as we continue to grow as disciples and to inspire us to more faithful service to Christ and His Gospel!
I am happy to announce the hiring of Sarah Parrish as our new parish secretary at Holy Family. Sarah grew up in New Florence and currently lives in Ligonier with her husband, Joseph, and their five children—with number six due in January. Sarah and Joseph were married at Holy Family in 2011 and their children have received most of their sacraments here as well! Their children attend Christ the Divine Teacher School and Joseph works nearby at WAOB Radio. They both feel blessed to have the opportunity to work in positions that allow them to serve God and His Church. Holy Family Parish holds a special place in Sarah’s heart and she is excited to be able to work here as the secretary, and looks forward to meeting all of you in the weeks and months ahead.
As we enjoy summer’s unofficial last weekend, let us remember the significance of Labor Day. Pope St. John XXIII, in his 1963 encyclical, Pacem in Terris, reminds us that among the principal human rights to which all people are entitled are the right to life and a worthy manner of living, the right to gainful employment, and the right to decent working conditions. These rights stem from every person’s inherent dignity and worth as having been created in God’s image. Human labor has value not because it is a commodity in the economic system, but because of the dignity of the laborer. This theme is echoed in the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ 2012 Labor Day Statement, Placing Work and Workers at the Center of Economic Life: “Our nation needs an economic renewal that places workers and their families at the center of economic life and creates enough decent jobs for everyone who can work. Work is more than a paycheck; it helps raise our families, develop our potential, share in God’s creation, and contribute to the common good. Everyone and every institution has a role to play in building a more just economy. In the words of our Conference, we seek an economy that serves the person rather than the other way around.” Here’s to a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend. Happy Labor Day!
On Tuesday the Church celebrates the great pope and doctor of the Church, St. Gregory the Great. He was born into a wealthy and powerful Roman family in the year 540. Gregory’s early years were a tumultuous time in Rome and the Italian peninsula; the Western Roman Empire had already fallen, the population of the city of Rome was decimated by an outbreak of the Black Death and Gothic tribes from the north raided and destroyed many parts of the once-glorious city. Young Gregory, however, did receive a good education and was an excellent student, especially in areas of law. By the time he was 33, he had become Prefect of Rome, like his father before him. Gregory was also deeply devoted to his faith, turning his family’s estate into a monastery after his father’s death. He spent many years in the monastery—following the Rule of St. Benedict—before serving as a papal representative to the Byzantine Empire in Constantinople. Gregory was selected pope by acclamation in 590 (this was long before papal conclaves and the papal election process we know today). His 14-year pontificate is noted especially for liturgical reforms, including the development of Gregorian chant; almsgiving and emphasis on a deacon’s role as a minister of charity; and the evangelization of England by St. Augustine of Canterbury. Gregory was also a prolific and profound writer; among his best known works are a Commentary on the Book of Job and The Rule for Pastors. He also popularized the use of the papal title of Servant of the Servants of God, which has been in use ever since. Gregory died in 604 was named a saint by popular acclamation immediately upon his death. He is venerated as the patron saint of musicians, teachers, and students.
Comments