Dear Friends,

As I make my way through the first few weeks in our parish, I am learning about the history of Lancaster as well as the parish. I was amazed to find out how many towns we carved out from the original landscape. I am also amazed at the longevity of the area parishes. It was many years ago that then Bishop Wright encouraged the building of a Catholic church in every town in the diocese. Needless to say, cities had thriving populations at the time due to the influx of factories and the immigrant populations that were employed by them.

Towns, however, had very different challenges. Rural communities built smaller parishes to suit their needs. Practicality, not ornamentation, was the order of the day. The simple yet reverential taste enhances the prayerfulness of these buildings. I see in our church the wonderful architecture that directs our attention to the sanctuary and the prayer that takes place at the altar. It must have been quite a challenge after the first building was destroyed in the fire! It behooves us to appreciate our ancestors who made the great sacrifice to ensure the little Catholic Community in Lancaster would always be able to worship in their own house of worship.

Peace,
Fr. Michael