As I look back on my years here at Sacred Heart, I can see all the great things this community has accomplished in our spiritual lives and in the physical plant of our parish. This has come about through the great effort of many people to truly build up the Kingdom of God here in Wadsworth, Ohio. I have seen this faith community grow in Grace and Service; serving one another on many different levels. This has happened over the years because of the dedication, generosity, and sacrifice of so many good and faithful followers of Jesus Christ. It has not always been easy, but it has been very fruitful. I will always be grateful to God for sending me here to Sacred Heart and for you the good people He has entrusted to me. I have tried to do the best that I could with God’s help and your help and prayers. I have made mistakes. I have overlooked some things and people I could have been more attentive to and so I am sorry if I have hurt or slighted anyone.
As you know I will be retiring most likely by the end of June next year. There are always things that need attention as I am sure you find in your own lives. As we all know, these things usually take money to correct or fix up. A few things that will be coming up are the parking lots, the AC in the church, and the bell tower, needing attention soon. So, like any pastor, trying to take care of what God has given us, I am asking for your support, generosity, and sacrifice. Please consider a substantial donation to our Building Fund so that we will have the resources on hand to take care of the needs that will eventually arise. I thank you very much for all your generosity in the past and in the year to come. I know God will continue to bless our parish in many ways as we continue to strive to grow in grace and service.
This is Catechetical Sunday and the theme this year is “Always be ready to give an explanation…for a reason for your hope”1 Pet 3:15. The 2025 theme encourages us to be prepared to share the basis of our faith, the Lord, and the hope he provides. In the same manner, Saint Peter encouraged the believers of his time, the Scripture reminds us, the sharing should be done with gentleness and respect.
This day is dedicated to recognizing the invaluable role of catechists and faith formation leaders within the Catholic Church, providing an opportunity for the entire faith community to reflect on its shared responsibility to pass on the faith.
Before Jesus ascended into heaven, He commissioned His apostles to go and preach the message of the Gospel to the whole world. Ten days later they received the gifts of the Holy Spirit to encourage and strengthen them to do what Jesus commanded them to do. We too have received the Holy Spirit at our baptism and then the fullness of the Holy Spirit when we were confirmed. Jesus is not commanding us to leave our homes and families to become missionaries, but He is commanding us to share the Gospel with others by being ready and willing to share the reason for our hope, for our belief in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This means that we are willing to share our Catholic Faith with others especially our children and grandchildren. If we are going to explain the reasons why we believe in Jesus and the Church He founded, then we must know the reasons for our own faith and how that faith gives us hope and enables us to live in the love of God.
Although, the parents are the primary educators of their children in the ways of faith, the Church is here to help. This is why we have Catholic Schools and Parish Schools of Religion (PSR) so the Church can complement what is taught in the home. The efforts of catechists in our parishes are not to take the place of parents, but to enhance what is already taught in the home.
Here at Sacred Heart, we have very fine programs of religious education from Pre-K through high school. All the information for parents can be found on our website shofjesus.com. I hope and pray that all our parents take this responsibility seriously and make sure that your children are receiving good Catholic education. All our catechists are very dedicated to sharing our Catholic Faith with all our young people. Fr. Joe Robinson, Deacon Rich, Abby Cook, and Maggie McCarron do a great job in directing all these efforts for the good of our young people so that they will be prepared to always give others the reason for their hope, for their faith in Jesus Christ. Let us all pray for our catechists and our young people that they may grow in faith and service.
