Family, friends and parishioners filled St. Andrew the Apostle Church in Norton for a joyous occasion on June 30: the installation of Father Lou Thomas as pastor.
Bishop Edward Malesic traveled to Norton to celebrate the Mass and more than a dozen fellow priests concelebrated the liturgy, including some of Father Thomas’ ordination class members. Before Mass, Father Thomas and the bishop signed the paperwork making his position official.
As is his custom, the bishop asks the new pastor to preach the homily at his installation Mass.
(See photo gallery above.)
The clergy wore red vestments for the liturgy since it was the feast of the first martyrs of the Holy Roman Church. Father Thomas noted that the feast of SS. Peter and Paul was observed the day before (June 29). While under house arrest, he said Paul continued to evangelize as a prolific letter writer.
In the early Church, Father Thomas said people were not prosecuted for sedition; they were persecuted because they were Christian. “They shed their blood and watered the early Church,” he said, adding it is important to remember that many early Christians remained true to the Church even though it meant their deaths – unlike today.
“Know that first and foremost, you are always welcome here. What we do here nourishes, feeds and strengthens us for what we need to do out there (in the world). We’re all called to be a witness, prophet and martyr for Christ. Remember, evangelization is at the heart of Christianity,” Father Thomas said.
“We’re called to take this great gift we’ve been given and share it. In that sharing, the light grows. It does not grow dim. The force of darkness out there is ready to snuff out the light and we cannot let that happen. The light of Christ overcomes the darkness and conquers all,” he added.
“I like to let the new pastor preach so I know what I’m giving you,” Bishop Malesic said, “He (Father Thomas) did well. You have a good preacher and a good and holy priest. And Father, you have a wonderful parish.”
The bishop talked about the responsibilities of a pastor, noting “Not even Jesus could fulfill all the responsibilities of a modern pastor. But he taught us something very important: A good pastor must love his sheep. Father Thomas, thank you for accepting your call to the priesthood, at a time when it wasn’t easy to do. And thank you for saying ‘yes’ to this parish,” he said, adding, “You’ve come to love him and he loves you. I’ve given you one of the younger priests, so please don’t break him,” the bishop quipped.
Parish ministry is important, he noted. “My happiest years were in parish ministry,” the bishop said. He reminded Father Thomas that his parishioners will look to him for leadership, for preaching the word of God and for celebrating the sacraments. He also told the parishioners that they are the stewards of the gifts of the parish. “Use the gifts God gives you well. The Body of Christ has many parts and charisms. Build it up here. This parish is strong, Christ-centered and faithful to the teachings of the Church,” Bishop Malesic said.
“These people will magnify the blessings of your priesthood,” he told Father Thomas. “Leadership is hard. Don’t magnify the negative voices any more than they deserve Remember, you also represent me and if you serve Jesus with joy, you will serve me well.”
The bishop acknowledged Father Thomas’ mother and twin brother who attended the Mass, thanking his mother for sharing her son with the Church. “You gave us a great guy,” he said. Referring to Father Thomas’ identical twin, he quipped, “You may not use your twin brother to fill in for you,” which drew laughter from the congregation.
“Help us to be holy. Use your gifts for the service of each other. And all of you, please help Father Lou answer his call to be holy,” the bishop said.
The new pastor pledged to follow the Church’s teachings and to seek guidance and advice from parish advisors and staff, including the finance and parish councils.
The bishop and Father Thomas greeted parishioners after Mass and posed for photos before heading to the church hall for a reception and social.
St. Andrew the Apostle Parish was established in 1951. According to the most recent (2020-2021) status animarum report, there are 403 registered families in the parish. The parish is at 4022 Johnson Road, Norton. Father James Maloney is the pastor emeritus and Deacon Gregory Wunderle is the parish’s retired deacon.