News

Three parishes linked with Leopolis

By Brian Kohls
Compass Correspondent

LEOPOLIS -- On July 11, Bp. David Zubik joined members of the parishes of St. Mary, Leopolis, St. Anthony, Tigerton, St. Mary, Marion, and Holy Family-St. William, Wittenberg, to celebrate the unity of the four parishes. St. Mary, Leopolis was formally linked with the other three on July 1. Fr John Girotti was also installed as pastor at the Mass.

Since it was the feast of St. Benedict, Bp. Zubik called on representatives of the four linked parishes to pray and work together.

"St. Benedict taught the world to balance prayer and work," the bishop said, explaining that part of The Rule of Benedict emphasizes the need for daily prayer and work. He challenged the 200 people at the Mass to continue to labor to create a Christian world.

"You and your ancestors did the same as St. Benedict," Bp. Zubik said, urging everyone "to show kindness to others, to be called to deeper faith, and to take what you've heard here into your neighborhoods and living rooms."

During the installation ceremony, which is a reminder of a priest's ordination, Fr. Girotti promised that he would be a coworker of Bp. Zubik and his successor bishops, that he would help sanctify Christian people and teach the Catholic faith, and that he would lead the people to Christ.

Fr. John Girotti became pastor of the four parishes July 1. Fr. Harry Hafeman serves as associate pastor.

"I believe my job as a priest and a shepherd is to make sure all of you get to heaven," Fr. Girotti told the people in the pews. "Your job is to make sure I get there too."

Fr. Girotti said St. Mary in Leopolis will continue to have its own parish council and religious education program for grades 1-8. The linked parishes already share a program for high school students.

"The parishes have a common staff, including secretaries, a faith formation coordinator, and priests," Fr. Girotti said. "Each parish has its own religious education coordinator, as well as, maintenance staff."

"St. Anthony in Tigerton and St. Mary in Marion have been linked since 1973, the longest linkage in the history of our diocese," he added. "Holy Family-St. William was merged in 1999 from the two parishes in Wittenberg and Eland. This new parish (Holy Family-St. William) then linked with Tigerton and Marion in 1999. We are experts at this."