New Pastor Announced

My dear Parishioners,

The archdiocese announced last week that I am being reassigned as an Assistant Pastor, or Parochial Vicar to St. Eleanor Church, in Collegeville. I am very grateful to all the parishioners and staff for the tremendous amount of support and genuine care shown to me over the last 14 years. The priest who will be coming to continue as your pastor is Fr. Michael Pawelko. He was ordained 14 years ago. As a matter of fact, his Deacon year was at my previous assignment, so we spent some time together. He is the current pastor of Our Lady of The Sacred Heart parish in Hilltown. He is leaving that church because the shortage of priests is so great that the Archdiocese can no longer staff the parish with diocesan priests. The priests who run the Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa, The Oblates of St. Paul the Hermit (the Pauline Fathers) will now be covering the pastoral responsibilities for Our Lady of The Sacred Heart parish as well. Please pray for vocations!

This Monday we also celebrate Memorial Day. The website www.usmemorialday.org says that it is a day of remembrance for those who died serving our country. Originally called Decoration Day, it was first established as a way to honor those who died in the Civil War. The date May 30, 1868 was chosen because it wasn’t the anniversary of any particular battle. After World War I, the holiday was designated as a day to honor Americans who died in any war. Later the date was changed to the last Monday in May.

I know that traditionally this is the “unofficial start” of the summer season, but let’s not forget the reason for the holiday. Jesus said, “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (Jn 15:13). He not only said it, He did it. We are grateful for the service and sacrifice of all those who died serving our great country. Eternal Rest grant unto them, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine on them. May the Souls of all the Faithful Departed, through the mercy of God, Rest in Peace. Amen.

May God Bless you,
Fr. Bordonaro