The joy of the Easter season continued on Divine Mercy Sunday (April 7) as Father Tim Gareau was installed by Bishop Edward Malesic as the third pastor of St. Colette Parish in Brunswick. “The Lord always send us preachers who go where they are needed. Even I am an itinerant preacher,” the bishop quipped. “I came from Greensburg (Pennsylvania) and I hope this is my last stop. We are grateful to Father Tim for answering the call here at St, Colette. Father Tim, know that you have the support of the clergy from around the diocese.”
More than a dozen priests concelebrated the liturgy, many of whom had served with Father Gareau at his previous assignments. Deacon Scott Cerrito of St. Colette and Deacon Larry Greg from St. Raphael Parish in Bay Village assisted at the Mass.
The church was filled to overflowing with St. Colette parishioners, Father Gareau’s family, friends and former parishioners, including a contingent from St. Raphael, where he previously served as pastor. He took on the role at St. Colette in November 2023.
Both the bishop and Father Gareau signed papers making his appointment official and he led the congregation in a profession of faith, after which the bishop and the pastor embraced.
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Father Gareau was emotional as he scanned the congregation during the homily.
“To see what faith, mercy and love look like, just look around. Know the Lord is always with us. Neither the grave nor walls can keep the Lord from us. Peace be with you is an affirmation wherever there is the gift of peace,” he said.
“The Lord entered the upper room of my heart to become your pastor. I am truly at peace, he added.
Father Gareau recalled how the parish was rocked by the deaths of its first two pastors – Father Thomas Montavon, the founding pastor who served from 1977 to his retirement in 2007, and Father William Krizner, who served 2007-2023. Both priests died last year within eight months of each other.
“This parish community moved through a time of profound loss and vulnerability with profound faith. They (the previous pastors) would be so proud of you. I know I am,” Father Gareau told the parishioners. “The risen Lord continues to work through all of you.”
Reflecting on what the apostle Thomas did when he encountered the risen Christ, Father Gareau said “he fell to his knees and uttered an amazing profession of faith: ‘My Lord and my God.’” As St. Colette Parish travels together into the future with great hope, faith and enthusiasm, he encouraged the faithful to consider the example of the parish patron saint who was known as a reformer. She would encourage them to do the same, he added.
St. Colette wrote a dedication prayer that was included in the worship aid for the liturgy. Father Gareau asked the congregation to recite it with him. “That is my dedication to you and to Jesus and it’s a great way to end the homily,” he added.
He thanked the bishop for his support and his brother priests for their love, friendship and presence, noting he will lean on them in the future. Father Gareau also expressed appreciation to the parish staff, noting it takes many hands to run the parish. In addition, he noted his gratitude for the parish community and his own family, who he said has journeyed with him throughout his life and ministry.
“I ask God to continue to bless us,” he added.
Bishop Malesic told the congregation that he asks pastors he is installing to preach at the Mass because he needs to hear God’s word through them. “I also like to see what I’m giving you. I am giving you an experienced pastor, a good preacher and most important, a man of faith,” he said, referring to Father Gareau.
He encouraged Father Gareau to be a father to the parish community and not to become overwhelmed or too distracted by secular thing. “The most important thing is to follow Jesus.”
The bishop also asked the faithful to help encourage vocations.
“Don’t be afraid if you hear the call of Jesus to the priesthood,” he said. “If you’re called, listen to the Lord and you’ll be happy. He will give you what you need to be successful.” He shared his own vocation story, telling the congregation that he planned to be a medical technologist and work in a hospital laboratory. “But God had other plans.”
He told Father Gareau he had big shoes to fill, but he was confident he was up to the task.
“Please pray for our priests, pray for more priests and pray for more people for the priests to serve. We can’t continue to do business as usual. We need to get out and share the good news of salvation. This parish is a gift and it must be shared. Let’s be evangelists together. We are all called to help the pastor be a fisher of souls. Go and serve. Hear the Gospel. Share it and let this be a place of worship and service.”
The bishop also reminded those in the church of the importance of “rowing in the same direction. But make sure everyone is rowing and make sure you’re all rowing with Jesus as the captain.”