St. Stephen Parish in West Salem hosted the 25th annual Harvest Mass of God?s Creation and blessing of the fall harvest on Oct. 29.
Jeff Campbell, director, Catholic Commission of Wayne, Ashland and Medina Counties, coordinated the event, which is sponsored by the commission and the Diocesan Rural Life Office. Father Thomas Stock, St. Stephen?s pastor, celebrated the Mass.
?We celebrate at the annual Harvest Mass of God?s Creation our diocese?s natural spaces, family farms, rural lands, parks, waters and the fall harvest as expression of God?s abundant gift of creation in our lives,? Campbell said.
The Mass traditionally begins with a procession during which members of the assembly place fall harvest items, including farm/garden symbols or soil near the altar. Home gardeners, rural farmers, parish outreach garden members, nature stewards, families, youth, etc. were invited to join the procession. Also included was a special prayer to ask God?s blessing on the fall harvest and food for the world.
In his homily, Father Stock reflected on the Gospel which instructed us to love God with all our heart and soul and to love our neighbors as ourselves.
?These two commandments are a beautiful way to express love,? he said.
Father Stock said it is possible to express love for someone you don?t know. As an example, he talked about concelebrating the funeral Mass for a 5-year-old kindergarten pupil who was accidentally struck by a car and killed last week just after he was dropped off at school.
?I didn?t know him and I never met his family. But something called me to go there,? Father Stock said. ?I grew up in the parish (St. Francis De Sales, Akron) and worked there as DRE (director of religious education) before I became a priest. I felt the desire to have this connection, like what the Gospel calls us to.?
He said the story is tragic because the child got out of his mom?s car, and then realized he had forgotten his treat for school, so he darted in front of the car to try and get it. The mom didn?t see him and accidentally hit him. He said although the church was full, many of those in attendance may not have personally known the child or his family, ?but they were there to offer their love and support. They were there because it?s the right thing to do
