Families of Parishes
From the Desk of Father David
Dear Friends in Christ,
This week, I was given a painting of Fourteen Holy Helpers Church. It is unique in the sense that it is a dark and stormy night with a full moon. The painter said, I want you to remember even in the darkest moments there is always some light. I think right now is a very dark time in history, and we have a choice to focus on the negative, positive or focus on Jesus Christ who is our guiding light.
Last Tuesday the rough draft of the Road to Renewal/Families of Parishes was released. There are thirty-six family grouping. We are in Family 7. Family 7 is made up of the following parishes: Fourteen Holy Helpers, Queen of Heaven, St. John the XXIII, St Gabriel, and St. John Vianney. The goal is to strengthen parishes and schools in a way that will help us better live out the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Each family of parishes will need to work out the details within the guidelines given to us by the Diocese of Buffalo. There is great potential for strengthening our area if we are willing to be a people of prayer and willing to work together. As I know more details I will be passing them on to you and I am planning on having parish-wide meeting(s) to get your input and ideas.
On another note, I want to talk to you about our present Mass schedule. With Covid regulations being lifted, we should be able to move all the Masses back into the Church. I am thinking about reverting back to the old Mass schedule for a time. I am presently working on the different aspects to make this happen and will let you know next weekend when this change will take place. I do realize that a new Mass schedule will need to be created if Mass attendance stays low or if priest or ministers become unavailable.
During this time of change we need to beseech God’s help, be open to His guidance, be open to new ideas, willing to work together and most importantly stay positive. Engage your faith, for Jesus is the Good Shepherd leading and guiding His flock through the storm.
In Today’s Gospel, Jesus took the little girl’s hand and told her to arise. I believe, He takes each of us by the hand and tells us to arise from our fears, our negativity, our doubts and find new life in Him. May we hold fast to His loving embrace and like the women in the Gospel have the faith we need to be healed and be a source of healing for others as we build God’s kingdom here on earth. We might want to make this prayer from the Gospel our prayer “Lord I do believe, help my unbelief.”
Peace and healings,
Fr. David
