Sunday, July 3, Bishop Richard Grecco installed Fr. Benedict as Pastor of the Holy Family Pastoral Unit.
From the Ritual of Installation of a Pastor:
- The Bishop Addresses the Pastor: Father, I entrust to you this parish church. This church is above all a house of prayer, a temple of worship, a home in which the faithful are nourished by the Word of God and the Sacraments of the Church. It is the dwelling place of God on earth, a temple built of living stones, founded on the Apostles with Jesus Christ as its cornerstone.
At the Altar from where the people will be fed with the Bread of Life.
- It is here that, through the waters of baptism, God’s people die to sin and live again through grace as adopted children of God.
The Baptismal Font where the People of God are Reborn.
- Here they receive the gift of the Holy Spirit and gather around the altar to celebrate the memorial of the Paschal Lamb being fed and nourished by Christ’s Body and Blood. Here they celebrate the sacraments of healing and reconciliation so that they might experience the peace which only Christ can give them. It is here that men and women are united in marriage to be a sign of the love Christ has for His Church. It is here that those who have died are brought by their loved ones to be commended to the loving mercy of God.
At the Ambry where the Holy Oils are reserved for the strengthening of God’s Faithful People.
- Father, may you always serve the faithful of this Parish with zeal, fidelity and sincere devotion so that all people may come to know Jesus Christ our only true High Priest and Shepherd.
At the Ambo where the Word of God is Proclaimed and the Faithful are encouraged by the Gospel.
The Holy Family Pastoral Unit consists of three Parishes: Our Lady of the Assumption, Stratford, St. Joachim’s, Vernon River and St. Patrick’s, Fort Augustus.
Photos by Debi Richard