Sts. Mary And John Parishioners Celebrate Merger

Parishioners from St. John the Apostle Church in downtown Evansville gathered Sept. 13 with parishioners from St. Mary Parish, also in downtown Evansville, for a Mass to celebrate the merger of their parishes, which took effect July 1.

The celebration for the newly named Sts. Mary and John Parish began with Mass at St. John Church.

Father David Martin, pastor, welcomed everyone to the celebration. "We celebrate our history,” he said. “We celebrate who we are as a people of God."

Divine Word Missionary Father Charles Smith delivered the homily. He lives and works in Indianapolis, but for the past 14 years has been ministering at St. John's on many weekends.

His message? Sometimes, in order to rebuild, you have to uproot.

"The good news is that God is speaking to us about how to rebuild," he said, adding that to rebuild "you have to uproot."

He paused, and then said, "You better hear me, St. John. You better hear me, St. Mary." And the congregation answered, "Amen."

He advised the members of the new parish to "look at what's growing under the surface" because "there are things that need to be uprooted. Roots of jealousy. Roots of competition. All killing the unity of the people in the Church.

"God says, 'Today uproot.' Deal with what is under the surface. Racism. Sexism. Elitism. God says, 'Tear it down.'"

"You are the salt of the earth. You are the light of the world,” Father Charles said. “Are you ready to rebuild? Make a decision today to transform your church."

The Sept. 13 celebration was the first of three events planned for the new parish. Parishioners are also invited to gather at the 9:30 a.m. Mass on Oct. 19 at the St. Mary campus. On Nov. 8, Bishop Charles C. Thompson will install Father Martin as the pastor of the new parish during a 4 p.m. Mass at the St. Mary campus.