St. Joseph and School – September 10, 2017

Dear Families and Parishioners,

In 1811 the Federal Government began the construction of Route 40 called the National Road which ran from Cumberland Maryland to the Ohio River in Wheeling West Virginia. Along this route there were mile markers so one could tell how far they had gone and how much longer the journey. Many of these mile markers still exist. The National Road – The Way according to our Christian Faith.

Our life is like a journey on The Way. Both the scenery and the weather change along the route but as we continue there is always another mile marker to reach. This image was part of my presentation last weekend.

What is next on this journey and what is the next mile marker for us? This remains always a mystery. We do know the terminus, not the Ohio River but the completion of our life on this earth. While we can all hope that the journey is always in pleasant weather and the grades not too steep, experience tells us other. We are heartened by our heritage of the many men and women who have completed the journey most successfully. We recognize that their fidelity to God was a major factor not only in their safe journey but in their final resting place.

What is next in the mile marker of our life? It appears that Jesus blocked this knowledge from himself by becoming man. It was certainly blocked in the life of Mary and Joseph. However, we know their fidelity. We walk in the light of their history. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph be with us as we reach each mile marker in our life.

Meeting with Milan Lach, S.J.

On Labor Day many of the Jesuits assembled at Walsh Jesuit High School. Joining us was the new Bishop of the Byzantine of Parma, Bishop Milan Lach, S.J. He comes to us from Slovakia; he is only 43 years old.

It appears to me that he has some science background although we did not discuss this. However, he talked about the need in life to take some risk and Francis’s strong emphasis on getting results. In science one changes protocols in an experiment in order to achieve results. There is always a risk in this because the pathway is not always firm, previously traveled, and assured. Milan is certainly taking a risk himself as he comes over to this country from Slovakia and must adapt to a different culture. There is a great deal of joy and excitement in his face and certainly great confidence that God is with him.

He brought with him to the Labor Day event two other priests from Slovakia that are part of his Eparchy. One of the priests perceptively noted when talking about children, “Children are poor listeners but they are perceptive observers of their parents.”

In my presentation to the parents of our students, I noted that parents are the first priority in the education of children. teachers come next, in third place is good administration, and finally, in 4th place are the facilities. One can have the finest of facilities but if you have poor teachers, lack of parental support, the education goes nowhere. “Children are poor listeners but astute observers, especially of their parents”

Fr. Tom Acker, S.J. September 10, 2017