Bishop Edward Malesic visited Our Lady of Victory Parish in Tallmadge recently to install Father Michael Williamson as pastor. Father Williamson, who also serves as pastor of St. Matthew Parish in Akron, took on the new role Jan. 15, after Father Mike Matusz retired.
Concelebrating the liturgy was Father James Hengle, who preceded Father Matusz as pastor.
The bishop told those gathered for Mass on June 29 that he likes to hear pastors preach at their installation liturgy.
“I like to hear what I’m giving you and even your bishop needs to hear the word of God preached,” he quipped.
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During the liturgy, Bishop Malesic officially introduced the new pastor to the faithful and encouraged him to listen to the counsel and advice of the parish council and finance council, as well as parish staff members and other advisers. Father Williamson also led the congregation in the profession of faith.
In his homily, the newly minted pastor told those gathered that at one church, when the new pastor took over, he hired a lawn service to cut the large grassy areas on the church property. When one parishioner noted that the former pastor used to cut the grass himself, the new pastor quipped, “I know. But he doesn’t want to do it anymore,” prompting laughter from the congregation.
On a more serious note, Father Williamson said it is rare to celebrate saints’ feast days on a Sunday, yet that day was the feast of Saints Peter and Paul, two prominent Church figures. He said their stories intersected briefly in the New Testament.
“They are both pillars of the Church. Paul invited all to join the new Church, but Peter wanted to take things more slowly,” Father Williamson said. “They had the same goal, which was to bring more people into the Church.”
He pointed out their differing backgrounds, noting that Peter was an uneducated fisherman who spoke from the heart and was invited by Jesus to follow him. He knew Jesus for several years before Paul, who was more educated and scholarly, had his encounter with the Lord. In fact, Paul had persecuted Christians before he became one.
“They differed greatly in their background, but had the same goal,” he added. In addition, both met the same fate – martyrdom for their faith.
The two parishes – Our Lady of Victory and St. Matthew – are different, but part of the same Church. “We are stronger together,” Father Williamson said.
The bishop congratulated him on his new role and invited the congregation – including both parishes – to be part of one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
After Mass, the bishop, Father Williamson and Father Hengle greeted congregants before they moved into Finnerty Hall for a brunch prepared by the Women’s Guild.
Our Lady of Victory Parish was established in 1943. According to the parish history, its name was chosen during World War II during October, the month of the holy rosary. The early parishioners noted that praying the rosary is one way Catholics could win a victory over sin and evil.
Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost celebrated Mass in October 2023 to kick off the parish’s 80th anniversary celebration.