A Word from Your Pastor September 29

Dear Parishioners:

This week, I will be away with my brother priests and with Bishop Robert Brennan, for some days of fraternity and planning for the future of the Diocese of Columbus.  I ask you to keep the presbyterate of Columbus – the priests and our Bishop – in your prayers during this important time.  It will serve to set the agenda for the next several months and years in our Diocese.  As you know, these are trying times for the Church.  We priests need to be sure that we are centered in prayer and are united in our vision so that we can serve the People of God entrusted to us.

The Church of Columbus is a diocese that covers 23 counties in the State of Ohio.  At present, we have less than 100 active priests serving the 105 parishes, with the help of retired priests, religious priests and priests of other dioceses who are assigned in the diocese for varied purposes, and our deacons.  There are about 279,000 Catholics in our diocese across the 23 counties.

As you can tell, we have our work cut out for us.  We rely on the support of the whole Church – clergy, religious and laity – all working together to build up the Kingdom of God. 

When we return from the Convocation, no doubt we will be able to share something of Bishop Brennan’s vision for our future.  He has shown such enthusiasm for all that is happening among us.  We have been blessed to have three visits of the Bishop to St. Timothy – once for the School Mass, a second time for my Mother’s funeral, and most recently for the Blue Mass.  Each time, he has expressed his gratitude for the experience and especially the sense of welcome he received.  Pray the he may have the strength and vision to help us to accomplish God’s Will for the Diocese of Columbus.