Jesus Saves

It is clear that we are not the community we once were in terms of size or financial wherewithal. Especially with the Corona virus restrictions, our finances have suffered even further. Our number one priority, however, is to care for the spiritual well-being of our people. All of our finances and material possessions are at the service of the spiritual. It is Jesus Christ who saves us and our experience of Him in the sacraments of the church. We know, and must continue to remind ourselves, that no material thing in this world, even if it be a beautiful church building , is our savior. It is not a building, it is a person, it is Jesus Christ!

That being said, we still realize that our churches were built to the honor and glory of God. They symbolize a faith community’s love for God and a desire to serve and please Him. Just like a family home is meant to care for the family’s needs, but the family is still the top priority, not the house. Many people, perhaps even you, have had to move from home to home given changes in career choices or other family necessities. Sometimes these moves can enrich your life and sometimes can be very challenging. But there are times when we must move and times when we must make changes. Now is one of those times for many people throughout the diocese and throughout the world given the present state of the economy and the virus as well as political upheaval and unrest throughout our country and the world. Now, more than ever, we have to keep our perspective, and our gaze fixed on Christ!

As Catholic Christians, we believe our salvation is in Jesus Christ, not the Democrat Party, not the Republican party, not this or that organization, or this or that material thing such as a bank account, gold or silver, technology or even weapons of war. Our salvation and our security rests in Jesus Christ. The scripture is clear, the Gospel is definitive on this truth.Holy Spirit Parish has 59 parcels of property and 29 buildings! As you know, we have followed all the regulations and guidelines to divest ourselves of St. Lawrence site and property given the unusable state of St. Lawrence Church. The church was not able to be used for the past four years. With our council’s approval and the approval of the bishop, the property has been sold to Gary Pezzuolo. Gary is a lifelong member of the parish and lives in Hillsville. We are very grateful to Gary for all his assistance in what is a very difficult reality for everyone. Of course, all the sacraments celebrated there live on in the lives of everyone touched by God on those premises. We are very sensitive to the fact that all our properties, especially our churches, have significant meaning in the lives of our people. We do not take this lightly.
 
Loving God and loving neighbor are the two greatest ommandments. This is why, when we were recently approached by Bethel Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Enon Valley, we were open to listen to their request. They are having their church  facility remodeled and need a place to worship in the meantime. They have asked if they could lease, for use, our church site of St. Anthony’s in Bessemer. They would like to be able to worship in the church and use the parish hall for their religious education. We, of course, would still be able to use the church for weddings, funerals, baptisms and any liturgical service we needed to celebrate at that site when necessary. They are not interested in purchasing the property, but simply leasing the property while their facility is being remodeled. The renovation on their building is expected to take 6 to 8 months and it is only during this time period that they would need our St. Anthony site.

I believe that it is a very neighborly and ecumenical gesture on our part to work with them during this time of need for their community. I have taken up this request for consideration with our Pastoral and Finance Councils as well as with the Diocese. Should these bodies offer their approval, I will let you know. At that time, we will enter into a lease agreement for the time specified.

All our material blessings are intended to be used for good and not evil. All these blessings we receive, ultimately from God, are meant to further His Kingdom and not our own, to do good and to offer charity and security to our neighbor. I believe this act of kindness and cooperation with a fellow Christian community is not only good for the overall community, it is also pleasing to God. I will keep you informed as to further developments in this regard. Wishing you all a very blessed, peaceful, safe and healthy week. I hope I see you either in the parking lot for Mass or on our website or YouTube.
         
God love you,