Following his time at the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis, Fr. Tom Orians, SA, traveled to Salem Township in Wyandot County, Ohio. There, he celebrated the 175th anniversary of his hometown parish, St. Joseph, which is now a historical community of faith. “Though there is no longer a Sunday celebration at the church, the faith of the community remains strong,” Fr. Tom said.
Once a year, the St. Joseph community gathers for a special liturgy. This year, they invited Fr. Tom to celebrate. He did so on Sunday, July 28, with many of his relatives in attendance. “The faith of these families inspires me in my vocation to the priesthood and the Friars of the Atonement,” he said.
Following the liturgy, Fr. Tom joined the community for an annual pork chop dinner in honor of the parish’s Germanic heritage. This dinner “provides some of the best homemade noodles in the country,” Fr. Tom enthused. “The dinner draws a few hundred people from all around the area.”
On Sunday, Aug. 4, Fr. Tom traveled to Northeast Ohio to enjoy The Fest. Sponsored by the Diocese of Cleveland, this annual event attracted thousands of Catholics for music, worship, and fun. Fr. Tom was invited to join the liturgy planning committee and was responsible for selecting and training liturgy readers. He also greeted visitors at the Atonement Friars’ booth.
“The Fest liturgy followed by fireworks was the highlight of the day, but sharing our unique story was a powerful time for me because I believe we have a very special story that needs to be told,” he said. “I also hope that I inspired an interest in some of the young men and women to one day join the Society of the Atonement in praying and leading others to At-One-Ment and the fulfillment of Christ’s prayer ‘That All May Be One.’”
Finally, on Tuesday, Aug. 6, Fr. Tom made a pilgrimage to the Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation in Carey, Ohio. “Every year since I was a child, our family would go to the basilica for the annual novena in preparation for the feast of the Assumption,” he recalled. “Since my ordination and even as a young seminarian, I have returned annually to assist the Conventual Franciscan Friars and staff of the shrine in meeting the needs of the thousands of pilgrims who attend the novena.
“The Shrine pilgrimage has been going on now for over 125 years,” Fr. Tom continued. “Many of these families are from the war-torn countries of Iraq and Iran, and they come to the Shrine to offer their prayers to Our Lady for healing and an end to violence. This year was also very special because the bishops of the dioceses of Ohio encouraged all their faithful to join in the pilgrimage.”
Fr. Tom exercised his ministry of hearing confessions as a Missionary of Mercy. He also blessed religious articles and pilgrims with the relic of the true cross.
The pilgrimage was a special event for all who attended. For Fr. Tom, it gave him the chance to “return to the font where I was baptized and [bring] my prayers and hopes for all God’s people.”
Fr. Tom so happy you had such a great experience. See you soon God willing.
I’m so glad and grateful that Father Tom was able to represent the Friars of the Atonement in such beautiful ways throughout this summer! And, of course, to be the face of Jesus to so many, carrying His mercy and love to the world!