Florida Catholic | ‘Seek and ye shall find’

COMMENTARY

‘Seek and ye shall find’

TANYA GOODMAN | FLORIDA CATHOLIC ORLANDO BUREAU EDITOR

Published: 06.18.08

What is most striking in my memory about the Sunday I found “my” parish, was Precious Blood Father Andrew O’Reilly quoting Nelson Mandela in his homily. “Wow,” I thought, “This is the place for me.”
VALETA ORLANDO | FC FILE 2008

ORLANDO | I needed a new home, a place to belong.

Shortly after relocating to the Orlando area from Phoenix, I began to search for a place to hear the word of God — a place to nourish my soul.

So late one Sunday morning I set out for Mass. Like a new student, I was anxious about this experience. I reached the church in 10 minutes from my house in West Orange County.

As I sat in the pew, I looked around and wondered if this was a typical turnout for this Mass. The people seemed very much alike — same age, same ethnicity. Certainly, I couldn’t judge a parish by one visit. The homily was good.

I returned a few more times. One Sunday, the pastor inquired why so few in the congregation had returned forms signing up for parish ministries. There were extra forms in the pews, he said. He gave us time to think about it. Game show music played in my head. All my mind heard was the music played for contestants as they wrote the question for the final “Jeopardy” category. It kept playing. It was a long service. It was also my last at that parish.

I found another parish farther away. It took me 15 minutes just to find a parking space and another 10 minutes to walk to the church. It was packed. Great diversity — no place to sit.

I heard of a Catholic church on Hastings Street in Orlando — St. Andrew. Where was Hastings Street? I Googled it. It was off West Colonial. I traveled that route east and west regularly. I didn’t remember seeing a Catholic church.

Sunday came. I arrived extra early so I could secure a good parking spot. Although near West Colonial, I actually had to turn down Hastings Street to see the church. Fast food places, tire retailers and moneylenders cluttered the landscape, obscuring the view of the church from West Colonial.

As I entered the church, the hospitality ministers greeted me warmly as if they had known me for years. I looked around for a place to sit and to paraphrase James Joyce, “there was everybody.” The pews began to fill with people of all shapes and sizes — men and women, boys and girls — all ages, colors and abilities.

What is most striking in my memory about that Sunday was Precious Blood Father Andrew O’Reilly quoting Nelson Mandela in his homily. “Wow,” I thought, “This is the place for me.”

After Mass, a long line of parishioners queued up to greet the pastor. Father O’Reilly smiled, shook hands and hugged each parishioner as though he or she were the first in line, including me.

Well, it was my third try at finding a home parish and it was just right. Suddenly, I understood how Goldilocks felt. The next Sunday as I proceeded to register, I was asked if I wanted a form in Spanish, French or English. Truly, all were welcome in this place.

After a few more visits, Father O’Reilly knew me by name. I was one of many and he remembered us all. Our words were important to him and he took time to listen.

One day I received an invitation from Father O’Reilly to participate in an inaugural retreat — “Christ Renews His Parish.” I was honored.

According to Father O’Reilly, over many home–cooked dinners, parishioner Dawn Helwig touted Christ Renews His Parish. She kept telling him that Christ Renews His Parish would not only renew individuals, it would bring renewal to the parish. He listened. He acted.

When the congregation continued to grow and expressed desire for a “renewed” church building, Father O’Reilly listened and acted.

He led our modest parish in a multimillion–dollar renovation of the church campus as part of its 50th anniversary celebration in 2007. For nearly a year, the congregation celebrated Mass in the school gymnasium. Attendance never wavered.

On Jan. 26, 2008, Bishop Thomas Wenski dedicated the new church. He said in his homily, “God will live with his people here in this house, in this Domus Dei, this house of God. Here, in this temple, once again the word of God will be proclaimed and once again the sacraments will be celebrated.”

Exactly what I had been seeking — a home where I could hear the word of God and nourish my soul.

That day, Father O’Reilly said to the congregation, “My thanks to everyone who gave their time, talent and treasure. You are a beacon of God’s faith, hope and love.”

Because of their love for Father O’Reilly, parishioners dug a little deeper to give of their time, talent and treasure to renew their parish.

As excited as we are about our renewed church, we are now saddened to say farewell to Father O’Reilly. The Society of the Precious Blood has a new assignment for him. He must go.

There is, however, hope. We’re blessed in this diocese; we have a bishop who listens. Bishop Wenski heard the needs of St. Andrew parishioners and is gifting us with Father P. Joseph Vigny Bellerive, who, I learned, speaks Spanish, French and English. Sounds just right for this parish.

I will miss “Father Andy.” Now, when people drive along West Colonial near Hastings, they will know a Catholic church is there. There is a beacon — a bell tower. It towers over those fast food places, tire retailers and moneylenders. Next month when I see that tower, I will smile and know a little of Father O’Reilly still remains.

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