From the Pastor May 3/4

Hope Lights the Way

The 84th Catholic Appeal for the Diocese of Fall River began on Thursday, May 1 and will continue through June 30. “Hope Lights the Way” is the theme for this year’s Appeal. When he announced the 2025 Holy Year the late Pope Francis said its theme would be “Pilgrims of Hope.”

Hope for Catholics is one of the three theological virtues along with faith and charity that orientate us to God. It is more than just a longing for better days ahead. The Christian virtue of hope recognizes that if we try to imitate Jesus, like Jesus, we will be united with God. Pilgrims of hope follow the light of Christ, act with love, and work to bring about the Kingdom of God. 

Pope Francis made reaching out to those on the peripheries of our world central to his ministry. He visited countries with small Catholic populations and appointed leaders from far off lands. Francis made sure to acknowledge those who, because of their poverty, health conditions, and social status, were marginalized in any way. If we are to be faithful to our Catholic calling, we too must reach out to those on the peripheries.

Donors to the Catholic Appeal of the Diocese of Fall River are pilgrims of hope reaching out to those on the peripheries. They light the way for the homeless, sick, and needy in our area. Our donations help fund St. Joseph’s House for the homeless in Hyannis, chaplains at Cape Cod Hospital, Catholic education for students at St. John Paul II and St. Pius Schools, they help fund seminary study for future priests and deacons and aid the enrichment of family life through Catholic Social Services. 

We all know how government support for the needy is being slashed. A chainsaw is being taken to so many programs for the needy, vulnerable, and those on the peripheries. While the Church can’t make up for the loss of all Federal government money, we need to do what we can to elevate the suffering of our most vulnerable brothers and sisters. 

If you would like to learn more about the Catholic Appeal go to our parish website www.holyredeemerchatham.org and watch the Appeal video. Bishop Da Cunha, people who have benefited from the Appeal, and those who assist the needy have much to share with you.

Last year 146 Holy Redeemer parishioners donated $51,503.50 to the Appeal. We would like to increase our donations by 10 % this year. That is a monetary goal of $57,000 and a donor base increase of 15 to 160. 

Donors, when you receive your Catholic Appeal mailing, please prayerfully consider your donation. I especially appeal to those who have not donated in the past. Consider donating in memory of Pope Francis. If you prefer to give online you can donate at www.GiveFRDioces.org. Make your donation a generous one. There is no better way to use our charitable giving than doing good works in the name of Jesus. Giving to causes that help spread the message of the gospel is necessary to claim to live the Christian life. My donation to the Catholic Appeal is one of the largest I make each year. I donate 2.5% of my income to it. Please support the 2025 Catholic Appeal generously this year. 

While We’re On the Subject

Thank you to all parishioners who donated to Your Options Medical’s Baby Bottle Boomerang and Holy Family Campaign in January. Parishioners filled the baby bottles with their loose change to help support Your Options’ maintenance of an ultrasound unit and other pregnancy services at their office in Hyannis. Contributions amounted to $2,671.87. Thanks again.

It is also approaching the last call for your Lenten Folders. Parishioners have been filling their Lenten Folder as a Lenten almsgiving activity. You can return your folders at any time to the Collection boxes to the left of the sanctuary at the front of the church or the collection basket. Please convert the quarters into currency or a check. We will donate the proceeds from the folders to the Cape Cod Foster Closet. The Closet is a charity that provides clothing and other essentials to foster parents welcoming into their home a child in state custody. Providing a home for a foster child is a very generous gesture from these people, and we need to support them. 

Plant a Tree in Memory Pope Francis

A legacy of Pope Francis’ will be his first encyclical Laudato si, and his efforts to encourage all people towards a greater respect for the environment and to work to ease the terrible effect of climate change. How about planting a tree in memory of Pope Francis? Chatham Friends of Trees has given us two dozen seedlings to plant. They are native species, Lindens, Tulip Poplars, and White Oak. They gave us a dozen last week but they all went at the first Mass. So don’t equivocate, take one home today. 

Thank you to parishioners who joined other town groups for the Chatham Conservation Foundation’s Earth Week Clean-up on Saturday, April 26. Holy Redeemer recruited twenty-one parishioners, the most people of any town group, for this effort. We are the champions!

Lower/Outer Cape Young Adult Group Forming

A Young Catholic Adult Group for those aged 19-35 is being formed in the Lower/Outer Cape Area to socialize, play, and pray together. If you are interested in joining, please contact Colin Murphy at YACapeCod@gmail.com 

New Parish Staff

Deacon Art La Chance will assume the role of Parish Business Manager when Howard Whelden retires at the end of June. We’re happy to have him in this additional capacity. We express much appreciation to Howard for his dedicated service these last eight years.

We also have a new parish photographer. It is Jack Harrington, a newer parishioner. Jack got his initiation with today’s bulletin cover photo of the Clean-Up Crew. We’re happy to have you aboard, Jack.