PARISH
TODAY
I
will often walk across the parking lot, or sit at the light
at 26th & Liberty, and just gaze at this beautiful House
of God that we have come to call "home". And, my
mind will wander with awe and amazement at how far we have
come. It is my understanding that south west Erie was growing
very rapidly in the late 19th century. And, along with it,
the Catholic population was beginning to grow just as fast.
In 1890, a group of parishioners from St. Michael's and St.
Joseph's gathered in the home of John Jerge at West 24th and
Liberty Streets. They were going to petition Bishop Tobias
Mullen to begin the work necessary to from a new congregation.
That was 113 years ago!.
And,
it happened in 1894. Sacred Heart of Jesus Church was created.
Bishop Mullen selected a young man, who was only ordained
for four days, to be the new Pastor...Father Francis J. Bender
of Paterson, New Jersey. This young man built a new church
right away! Now, in 2003, we are celebrating our 50th anniversary
in our 2nd church!
Unbelievable!
I will let my eyes wander across the entire property of Sacred
Heart, and just be amazed! Look at how far we have come since
1894! What determination! What strength! What unbending faith
in the power of the Sacred Heart of Jesus!
My
friends, to think about what has happened in the lives of
all those who have come here to Sacred Heart just boggles
the mind. But, one thing is for sure: our parish has always
been a source of strength and hope and faith for thousands
of people of Erie. We have celebrated the joy of Baptism,
the peace of repentance and reconciliation, the power of Eucharist.
We have witnessed the life-long commitment of hundreds of
couples to "be true to each other in good times and in
bad, in sickness and in health, all the days of their lives."
We have empowered others to be confirmed in the Holy Spirit,
and to be strengthened by our prayers in their sickness. And,
very often, we have brought so many "home" to send
them into joy and glory of resurrection to new life.
Having
existed now in three centuries, Sacred Heart Church has proudly
proclaimed the Gospel of Jesus Christ! We give great thanks
to God for all the blessing that He has given to us. We give
Him even greater praise for the wisdom, the courage, and the
strength to do even more! May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be
praised!
Fr. D.
Peace,
Very Rev. John J. Detisch, V.F.
