Our Pastor’s Corner – Week of June 29, 2025

Dear Friends,

This weekend we celebrate the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul. Saints Peter & Paul have often been referred to as two of the great “Pillars of the Church.” They each played an incredibly essential role in the establishment of the early Church. And though each of their roles was essential and foundational, their roles were as different as they were different as individual persons. Peter was a simple family man, a local fisherman, uneducated and quite ordinary. From what we know about him prior to being called by Jesus, there was nothing that made him uniquely qualified to become one of the pillars of the new Church to be established by the Son of God. While Peter saw himself as a “sinful man”, Jesus simply called him, and he responded. Peter immediately left everything behind and followed Jesus. Paul was very well educated, understood philosophy and was quite zealous as a young man. Recall, however, that prior to becoming a convert to Christianity, he “persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it.” In many ways, Paul would have been seen as the most unlikely person to be chosen to be a pillar of the Church, because he so vigorously opposed it at first. Though each of these men would have been considered by many as very unlikely founders of the Christian Church, this is exactly what they became. The unique stories of their lives remind us that we, too, have been called by our Lord to a unique mission within the Church that has not been entrusted to another. In our own way, God wants to use us to reach certain people with the Gospel as He did with Saint Paul. And like Saint Peter, God wants to continue to establish His Church upon us and our faith. And so, as we cele-brate this great feast we reflect upon these two holy and unique pillars of our Church. And as we do, let us ponder how God may want to use you and I to continue their mission in this world. Though Saints Peter and Paul are among the greatest Christians within our world, their mission must continue, and we are among the instruments that God wants to use today. Let us commit ourselves then to this same mis-sion so that the preaching of the Gospel and the rock foundation of our Church will remain strong within our own day and age just as it was back in the days of SS Peter and Paul.

Last Sunday, our choir formally concluded their season and will be on break throughout the summer months. I do want to take this opportunity to thank all who volunteer their time & talents to provide beautiful and uplifting music each week at our 10 AM Mass as well as the many special liturgical celebrations that we have throughout the year. Under the direction of Mrs. Anne Sprissler & our organist, Maria Dell’Orefice, they do a tremendous job to inspire us throughout the liturgical year. I would also like to offer a thank you to Millie Slifer who accompanies our 8:30 AM Mass on Sundays and is always willing to step in for any other sacramental celebrations. In addition, I thank our cantors who give so much of their time to lead us in song. We are truly blessed to have so many talented musicians and ones that give so generously from their hearts to help to make all of our Masses so beautiful throughout the year.

As was mentioned over the past few weeks, our music ministry is currently looking for new members to join our OLA Adult Choir. If you would like to give it a try or to just “come and see”, you are cordially invited to come and sing for our Festival Mass on August 10th. For more information you may contact Anne Sprissler directly at asprissler@olastrafford.org or stop by the choir loft and speak to the organist. Thank you for prayerfully considering this request!

The Festival Thermometer is back! Our goal this year has been set at $7,500. Please consider making a donation to our annual Festival appeal this year as it really helps to defray the many costs and expenses associated with the feast. A donation box is located in the back of church, or you may go to the Festival page on our website to donate online.

In addition to the Festival Thermometer, the Annual Ad Book is being put together as part of our fundraising efforts. All ads, patron club levels & memorials need to be submitted by Friday, July 11th. If you have any questions or need help with your requests, please contact the Parish Office or Millie Slifer at 610-662-6231. I thank you in advance for your generosity towards this annual event and we are looking forward to another wonderful feast!

I thank you again for your continued prayerful and financial support of our parish. I hope you get to enjoy some beautiful summer days. May God bless you and your families!

Love and prayers, Father Carey