Mother’s Day, May 12, was an extra special day for parishioners at St. Andrew the Apostle Parish in Norton. It also was World Day of Prayer for Vocations and Good Shepherd Sunday.
In addition, Father Lou Thomas, the pastor, and parishioners welcomed Bishop Edward Malesic as they began the celebration of their 75th anniversary with a Mass and reception. The pastor's mother and twin brother joined in the celebration.
Also participating in the event was Father James Maloney, St. Andrew’s pastor emeritus, who served the parish for 29 years before retiring in 2020. The parish was established on May 11, 1951 with the appointment of its first pastor, Father Stephen Blasko, by then Bishop Edward Hoban. He allowed Father Blasko to name the new parish and he chose St. Andrew the Apostle in honor of his father and two brothers.
“It’s inspiring to be out among the flock,” the bishop said. He told parishioners how much he enjoys visiting parishes and schools throughout the diocese. “I’m a disciple of Jesus just like you are and we each have a role to play in the Church,” he said, explaining that some are called to married life, others to single life and still others to religious or ordained life. When we hear and listen to our call – our vocation – and follow God’s plan, we will find happiness, he added.
(See photo gallery above.)
“I’ve got a good diocese and I love being here,” he said.
It’s important to announce that Jesus is our savior who rose from the dead to bring us everlasting life, the bishop said. “Try to bring some of heaven down to earth while we are here. We should practice being saints so we know what to do when we get to heaven.”
Reflecting on the Good Shepherd – Jesus – Bishop Malesic said he asks us to follow him. Scriptures tells us the sheep hear the shepherd’s voice, they know it and follow him. However, without his guidance, they may run off the edge of a cliff and plunge to their death or they may try to jump over a barbed wire fence, damage their valuable coat and be seriously injured. Sometimes they overeat, fall over and crush their young – all without guidance from the shepherd.
“It’s not impressive when the Lord compares us to sheep,” the bishop quipped.
In Scripture, he said Jesus came to save us from ourselves. “But he can only save us if we listen and hear his voice.”
God is like a father who stays with his sons or a mother who watches over her children, not someone who abandons them. “Jesus is our shepherd.”
He asked that we pray for the newly elected Pope Leo XIV, noting he has a difficult job. He also sought prayers for the eight deacons whom he will ordain to the priesthood on May 17. One of them, Deacon Jon Hawkins from Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Wadsworth, was assisting at the anniversary Mass.
“Without priests, we would have no Eucharist and without the Eucharist, we would have no Church,” the bishop said. “Pray for them. They are our shepherds.”
After Mass, the bishop spent time chatting with parishioners and posing for photos. He also attended the lunch reception in the parish hall. Father Thomas presented him with a sweatshirt that featured the parish logo.