CLERGY
August 2020
INCOMING WORDS FROM FATHER BRENSINGER:
Dear Parishioners,
Elaine, our parish secretary, asked to provide you with a little biographical information about myself, so here it goes.
I was ordained a priest in 1992 and have been assigned to several parishes in the Diocese of Allentown, including our neighboring parish of Notre Dame of Bethlehem when I was newly ordained. For the past nine years I was the Catholic Chaplain of Kutztown University where I tried to instill in the lives of our young people love for the Lord. On the weekends, I helped out pastors in the diocese by covering Masses for them in their parishes. For the summer, I was covering my home parish, Most Blessed Sacrament in Bally.
All of my education was in the Catholic schools of our diocese. After ordination, I had the honor of celebrating my First Mass at MBS during the 250th Anniversary year of the parish. Prior to entering the seminary, I was a fifth grade school teacher at Saint Francis of Assisi School in Allentown. A few years after my ordination, Bishop Welsh asked me to go back into education and so I was assigned to two of our high schools as the Director of Spiritual Activities and professor. When I arrive at Our Lady, I will not be alone. I have a Miniature Schnauzer named PJ, who will be residing with me in the Rectory.
As I start my ministry here at OLHC, I ask for your prayers for me so that I may be the best shepherd possible. I look forward to meeting all of you soon.
In His Name,
Father Rich
DEPARTING WORDS FROM FATHER JOHNSON:
Dear friends in Christ, Peace to you all!
I am penning these few lines with a grateful heart! It has been four years now serving this wonderful community of Our Lady Help of Christians. First of all, I thank God Almighty for his presence in all my endeavors over here. I can’t thank you enough for all the support and love I received from everyone in this parish – members of Parish Council, Finance Committee, choir, ushers, altar servers, lectors, eucharistic ministers, youth group, prayer Group, CCD teachers, volunteers and parishioners sincerely played their role to make this parish more vibrant.
Some names stand out to be mentioned for their time and talent: our parish finance secretary Ed, parish secretary Elaine, safe environment coordinator Joellen, CCD coordinator Kathy, Ann Yost at the front desk, maintenance officers- George and Dave, Rosanne for her constant support, Arlenne for her cooking and brainstorming, and so many other volunteers. A big thank you to all for making my ministry much easier.
I have shared many memories here – I have baptized many babies, performed marriages, and unfortunately performed too many funerals. I’ve visited hospitals and the homebound every month. I figured out how to do this thing called “livestream.” Now, the Lord is calling me to another pasture, Most Blessed Trinity Parish in Tremont. We, priests are in a way like travelling birds- from one branch to another, from one tree to another tree, from one mountain to another. We often move. It reminds me of Jesus’ words: “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent” (Lk 4:13). However, even though I am leaving, there is someone who remains constant – Jesus Christ. Jesus has been here from the beginning, and will be with you for the rest of time.
I welcome, along with you, Father Richard Brensinger. One of the gifts of the Diocese of Allentown is the opportunity to work with various pastors over the years because each one brings new perspectives, new ideas, and new abilities to share. I think he is a great match for Our Lady Help of Christians and will do good things here.
I look forward to my last two weeks with all of you, and I want to thank you for the many ways you allowed me to be your pastor. Please, pray that the Lord may be present in all my efforts in my new mission in Tremont and I promise that you all will be remembered in my quiet moments with the Lord! I am including my address if you would like to keep in touch with me.
Blessings,
Father Johnson
Most Blessed Trinity Parish
113 Cherry Street – Tremont, PA 17981
STAFF
Ed Hudak, Financial Secretary
Ed is entrusted with our Church’s finances. As part of his duties he receives and records the gifts of members and other givers and supervises the counting and deposit of all offerings. Ed also works with the Finance Committee to develop policies and procedures so that funds can be made available to support the ministry of the congregation. If you need to call Ed or leave a message, listen to all contact options on our voicemail for Ed’s direct number. Ed can also be emailed at ehudak@olhcparish.net
Elaine Mitchell, Parish Secretary and Bulletin Editor
Elaine is responsible for the daily operation of the parish office (current hours are Monday-Wednesday 9AM to 4PM) as well as providing content for the bulletin each week and interfacing with all our parishioners. Elaine loves her databases so you may receive emails from her in order to keep the database up-do-date. Her most recent motivation is keeping Facebook and this website up to date. Elena lo siento, no sabe español. Elaine can be emailed at ourladyhlp@aol.com
COUNCILS
PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL
Fr. Rich Brensinger, Karen Adams, Jose Collazo, Vanessa Heimbach, Carla Ortiz, Richard Raffensperger, Dan Schmidt, Melissa Velazquez
PARISH FINANCIAL COUNCIL
Fr. Rich Brensinger, Ed Hudak, Jack Bolash, Sheila Breitfeld, Dan Schmidt, Rosanne Venditto