October 02, 2022
27th Sunday Ordinary C
Paul is in prison and facing execution. He writes a letter to young Timothy to encourage him “to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of hands.” Paul knows Timothy. They have traveled together proclaiming the Gospel. Paul knows the faith of Timothy’s mother Eunice and his grandmother Lois. Perhaps sensing doubt and hesitation in Timothy as he assumes pastoral leadership in the community, Paul urges him to be bold, loving and sensible. And ready to take on hardship and share in the suffering of Christ.
It is a critical time in the early Church. The apostles, the original eyewitnesses, including Paul, are dying. The challenge for the believing communities is to remain faithful to the teaching of the apostles and to adapt to new circumstances. The Holy Spirit is given to guard the rich tradition entrusted to them and, at the same time, to be open to new possibilities and challenges living the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Bishop Mike Fisher is following the examples of the apostles. As our Shepherd, Bishop Mike is coming to Annunciation on Tuesday October 18th to offer Mass as we commemorate the 175th Anniversary of the Diocese of Buffalo. We tip our hats to the sacrifice and fidelity of past generations who have lived their faith and shared the gift of faith with us. We marvel at what they have accomplished. Ethnic immigrant communities establishing parishes for worship, for support and for socializing and, using and pooling their resources, building churches, rectories, halls and schools. Recall Jesus reassuring his disciples that they can do wonderful things even with a mustard seed of faith. “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.”
Bishop Mike is also leading us on the Road to Renewal and creating Families of Parishes. He recognizes, as we all must do, that we are living in a new circumstance of fewer priests and fewer active Catholics. This is reality. The task given to us is to use wisely our existing personnel and resources. It demands adopting a more collaborative model of administration and of pastoral ministry. The majority of dioceses in the United States are moving toward similar models of cooperation. It will entail preserving the integrity and vitality of the local parish while aligning parishes in Families for greater efficiency and effectiveness, and for a deeper sense of common purpose.
We were set to begin the “activation” process in October 2023 but now it will begin in November 2022. Earlier this week, Tom and Kris DiScipio, our Renewal Representatives, participated in a ZOOM meeting with their counterparts from the other four parishes: St. Vincent de Paul, Springbrook, Immaculate Conception, East Aurora, St. Joseph, Holland, and St. George, West Falls. Pastors will participate in a ZOOM introduction meeting and then two in person meetings with the Bishop during the month of October. In the middle of October, the Priests’ Personnel Board will announce the future Pastor of our Family. He will become the transitional leader during the “activation” phase when the five parishes set up committees to facilitate greater collaboration pertaining to six essential Pillars: Spirituality, Mass/Sacraments, Faith Formation/Initiation, Administration, Pastoral Care and Service. We are being asked is to create an action plan to guide our steps. The “inauguration” of our Family is slated for May 2023.
Two concerns have surfaced during the Pilot phase: the Mass schedule and the integrity of parish finances. When we become a Family, Bishop Mike will assign three priests -- one pastor and two parochial vicars to serve the five parishes. Each priest will be expected to offer three weekend Masses. It will necessitate a reduction in weekend Masses. In regards to finances, each parish will remain a separate corporation with responsibility and control of their own finances.
I am not applying to be Pastor. When I celebrate my 75th birthday In February 2023, I must submit a letter of resignation to the Bishop knowing the Bishop will ask me to continue as Pastor of Annunciation until the new pastor and two parochial vicars are appointed in May.
I am very grateful for your continuing support and for the guidance and involvement of our Trustees, Dottie Austin and Mike Skrip, our Renewal Reps, Tom and Kris DiScipio, our Pastoral Council, Finance Council, Liturgy and Buildings and Grounds Committees, and Family Faith Formation. Like past generations we are keeping the faith as we adapt to new and challenging circumstances. Going forward, we have confidence in the promise of Jesus, “Behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” (Matthew 28: 20) We are uplifted and hopeful like Timothy. Jesus is with us along the way!
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26th Sunday Ordinary C
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28th Sunday Ordinary C
