SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM
FR. PETER KARALUS
Sept. 4th & 5th begins a new chapter in my own priestly ministry as I assume the position as Pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help and St. Vincent de Paul Parishes. I am eager to begin this exciting yet challenging ministry. I give thanks for the dedication and ministry of both Fr. John and Fr. Bill and I am humbled and inspired by them. Since I will be the first pastor of the two parishes, it is also a new chapter in the lives of our two parishes. Being linked parishes means more than sharing a pastor. Linking two communities challenges us all to see the larger church – the universal church – which goes beyond parish, vicariate, and diocese.
Our linked situation calls us to be the Roman Catholic Community of Our Lady of Perpetual Help and St. Vincent de Paul Parishes. While individual parishes, we all must see and live as one community of faith. Southtowns Catholic School, the formation programs for our children, along with other shared events and opportunities are a solid and successful foundation upon which we must continue to build.
It is my prayer and hope, that even though change must occur, your focus will remain clear:
- First and foremost, we are all disciples of Jesus Christ and each day we strive to live out the Good News as a community – a family of faith.
- Secondly, that we are all called to be part of the Body of Christ which means we do not live out our faith in a vacuum, we live it together. Sometimes this requires adjustment, give-and-take, and sacrifice. It means our personal faith is strengthened by our communal faith and it is not only about each of us as individuals, it is about US together being the Body of Christ.
- Thirdly, that even though changes occur (and remember that change can be good), your dedication and commitment to our community of faith will hopefully remain strong and it will help you resist the temptation to pull away or leave. We live in a mobile world with many parish options and I hope you will remain committed and dedicated to our wider community of faith here OLPH and St. Vincent’s. Remember that your community of faith needs you as much as you need it.
I also want to offer my appreciation to Fr. John, Fr. Bill, and all those who shared ideas and thoughts to compose two proposals for our community’s Mass schedule. There are so many different considerations that must be taken into account. In publishing our new schedule which will begin next weekend, please remember the following:
While we will utilize other priests as supply help, that help may not always be available. The Mass schedule must allow for one priest, when necessary, to celebrate all the Masses.
The Journey of Faith & Grace provides the guideline that if the church is less than half full, the Mass schedule needs to be adjusted. This is to ensure the quality of our liturgical prayer and celebration and also to avoid extra Masses where the space is under utilized. We will continue to follow this guideline within our community of faith.
As linked parishes, the schedule provides opportunities to attend Mass at various times. You may find that the a specific time works best for you to attend Mass, but that Mass may be at a different location. Or, you may desire to attend a specific location but the time has been adjusted. Whichever the case, know that we are one community of faith.
If you are a registered parishioner and find yourself attending Mass at the other parish, your monetary offering (when in an offertory envelope) will be forwarded to the parish you are registered at.
The Mass schedule will be evaluated in the coming months and at that time adjustments may be made.
As with any change, there will be wrinkles. We will iron those out in the coming weeks.
Specifically, we will address music ministry questions as well as the Lector, Eucharistic Minister, Altar Server and other ministry schedules. You will be invited to share your ministry at one or both locations.
As we all journey together, let us pray through the intercession of Our Lady and St. Vincent that the Holy Spirit will guide us as disciples of the Lord and lead us to the joy of God’s Kingdom.
Peace and Blessings,
Fr. Peter
THE WAIT IS OVER!
Our new Pastor has been assigned to both St. Vincent de Paul and OLPH as linked parishes. This announcement was made at all masses at both churches last weekend.
Rev. Peter J. Karalus will be joining our linked parish communities on September 4, 2010. The following link has a story that was posted on the Buffalo Diocese Vocations Website last month:
http://www.buffalovocations.org/my-story/archived-parish-priest-stories/
Below is a link to the news release announcing the formation of the new Epiphany Parish in Langford. This was an important moment in Father Peter’s ministry and is worth noting.
http://www.buffalodiocese.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=PFdg5WYRLiw%3d&tabid=1349
Our two parishes will become “Linked” – sharing one pastor as one “Family in Christ”. As with any family, there are times when we may not agree with some decisions, but we must try to be open to others ideas and suggestions. This linking can only happen positively with everyone's assistance.
We ask that you be patient with all the changes to be made, and welcome our new Pastor with open arms and open minds. Please bear in mind that the pastor is only one person and it will take the cooperation and enthusiasm of all of the parishioners to make the transition go smoothly. Let us remember to pray for Fr. Bill and Fr. John, that they will be blessed with a happy, healthy much deserved retirement.