Torn

The letter from Archbishop regarding Girl Scouting of Western Ohio was in last week’s bulletin.  Please know that I feel quite torn about the topic of our Girl Scout Troops.
 
A Postmodern Worldview Clashes with Catholic Christianity
Overall, I support Archbishop Schnurr’s challenging Girls Scouts of Western Ohio.  In a rather insidious way, through the “I Am a Girl Scout” fun badge program, Girl Scouts of Western Ohio is supporting a worldview that is not in line with our Catholic Christian Worldview which recognizes God and the value of science.   

For example, science tells us the sex of over 99% of all human persons.   Just a couple of decades ago, the word “gender” was synonymous with biological sex.  The Postmodern Worldview being pushed by Girl Scouts of Western Ohio supporting a myriad of possible genders moves to deny an ordered universe as designed by God and uses language to redefine essential realities.  Girl Scouting’s “fun badge” puts a multiplicity of genders on par with being African American, Asian or Hispanic.  That goes too far, even as we are called to love and respect those who experience gender dysphoria.  

For those who wish to learn more, I recommend reading “The Genesis of Gender:   A Christian Theory” by Abigail Favale, a book studied in our parishes last year.  We have several copies available in our church offices.  Please call ahead if you wish to reserve a copy. 
 
I Support Our Girl Scout Leaders
At the same time that I support Archbishop, I also support our Girl Scout leaders, many of whom I met with two Fridays ago.  I acknowledged their feelings of shock, hurt, anger and betrayal as they related that they had not participated in the fun badge referenced above. I trust our Girl Scout leaders and I can’t help but sense that banning our Girl Scouts from our parishes is not the best way forward.  Therefore, I am torn.
 
What Happens when We Are Torn?
When we are torn, we continue to struggle with and pray through the tension we experience relying on the grace of Jesus and the power of the Spirit to help.   As I often say, wonderfully, our Catholic Church is built on paradox, holding things together that don’t seem to go together, such as Jesus being both Divine and Human.  

For sure, as Archbishop related twice in his letter, we owe a debt of thanks to Girl Scout Leaders present and past! Please pray for our Girl Scout Leaders, Girl Scouts, and their families, and for leadership in our parishes and archdiocese.  
 
Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. Pat
 
 
Crescent Parishes New Director of Music and Worship
From Fr. Dave, Director of Worship 
 
Crescent Parishes has hired a new Director of Music and Worship. Please join me in thanking the Interview Team:  Matt Jackson, Deacon Royce Winters, Bernie Reagan and Marilyn Herring.   During the first rounds of interviews (3 chosen / 5 resumes) we were joined by Jeremy Helmes, Director of the office for Divine Worship and Sacraments of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. Fr. Pat joined us for the second round of interviews of the top two candidates.

Ron Miller, who has been the Director of Music Ministry at St. Maximilian Kolbe Church, Liberty Township for four years, will begin January 6, 2025 as the Crescent Parishes Director of Music and Worship.  As Director of Worship, Ron will be a part of the Parishes Leadership Team (PLT).   He will be the primary music minister for St. John and St. Saviour Parishes (TBD joint choir or separate choirs), as well as provide Nativity with the development of a choir. 

It has been decided that we will forego the Epiphany Music Fest like we did last year with each parish music ministry “performing.”  This is partly because of three out of the five parishes not having a regular/available music director.

 Some may already know that Ron and his family are parishioners of Nativity Parish.   Though Ron has professionally been involved in Music and Liturgy for over twenty-four years, all outside of Nativity Parish, he usually would volunteer at Nativity, working the festival, Christmas tree sales, and fish fries.  

 It is noteworthy that Ron prayerfully discerned in making this commitment to our Crescent Parishes and determined the best start date in order to fulfill his current position responsibilities and especially not leave the pastor and music ministry stranded.  This is the kind of person and minister we have chosen.   

As the current Director of Worship, I have secured musicians to cover the time through January 5th 2025 for St. Saviour and St. John Parishes. I am hoping that Julie Spangler-Klug will continue to cover the Sunday 11:00 a.m. Masses and Tim Levingston the Saturday 5:15 p.m. Masses at Nativity during this time as well as going forward beyond January 2025 until Ron Miller and they have had time to discuss the needs and desires of building upon the current music ministry at Nativity.  
 
Thanks for your support and ministry, 
Fr. Dave