Letter from Father Eilerman
Dear parishioners,
“If your brother (or sister) sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone.” Jesus’ instruction found in this Sunday’s Gospel, is great advice if only we would take it to heart. A hallmark of a follower of Christ is to be a reconciler. People should see in us someone who is ready to seek forgiveness and to give forgiveness. We all make mistakes, everyone at times has a moment when they were not the person they should have been. We say and do things that if we would have thought them out; we would not have said or done. When we are the reciprocate of someone’s sin, we can broadcast by all means possible the wrong we have experienced, or we can do as Jesus asks us, go to the offending person in private seeking a reconciliation. The choice is ours.
 As I announced last Sunday, St. Mary will be receiving an associate priest, Fr. James Colopy. He will be starting at St. Mary on the first of November. I have known Fr. Colopy for 40 years and he will be a wonderful addition to our parish. Father grew up on a farm outside of Danville Ohio and is the oldest of seven children. He is currently serving at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Grove City.
With the concerns that the COVID virus brings in regard to serving food buffet style, the Parish Pastoral Council has recommended not to have a Parish Picnic this year. The picnic has been a great success since it was reinstated a number of years ago, but I agree with the council that it is prudent to cancel for this year. The pies will be even more delicious in 2021.
Next weekend we will take up a collection for the Holy Land at the request of Pope Francis. As someone who has been able to travel to the Holy Land, I can attest to the importance of supporting this collection, as it keeps open many of the Christian Churches and shrines memorializing the life, death, and resurrection of our Lord.
Let us continue to pray for each other.
Father Craig R. Eilerman
Pastor
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