Parish Name: Saint John XXIII Catholic Community
Location: Perrysburg, Ohio
Founded: 2005
Diocese: Toledo
Pastor: Father Herb Weber
Number of Parishioners: More than 3,000 and growing fast!
Parish website: www.stjohn23.org
What makes your parish different from other parishes?
We are one of a few Catholic parishes that is learning lessons from the megachurch model. We use music designed to excite our people and move them into community. Our house band and choir do not “do Latin,” as it is not our heart language, but they try to honor ancient sacred music on special occasions. We do intergenerational catechesis once a month. We build community after every Mass by offering refreshments and conversation. We utilize every bit of technology and social media we can to get our message out. We actively work to keep our young adults in contact with the parish through adulthood and their own kids’ baptisms!
We also a mobile app for our community. It includes live streaming, original podcasts, music from Mass, blogs, homilies from Father Herb, daily Mass readings, and much more.
What’s the most distinguishing characteristic of your church building?
It’s a multipurpose parish life center with a large gathering area. We hope to build a church building within five years. We are in the planning stages now.
Who is your most interesting parishioner, and what makes them so interesting?
No contest! Fred Eberly. He’s a home remodeler. He is a “founding father” of the parish. You just love him. Down to earth, loves people, and just wants everyone to know Jesus and what he can do for you. Fred is a humble speaker, and when he talks about God, you know they are BFFs! Fred gives his time in so many ways, but most of all, we are drawn to his goodness. If only he could be cloned…
What’s the most popular event, ministry, or holiday tradition at your parish?
Probably the parish picnic. It’s at Fred’s farm. (Oh, I forgot to mention, he farms.) It’s held as our founder’s day activity every August and everybody shows up. I suppose there are lots of picnics like it, but it’s the one event that draws the whole parish family. It gets us ready for the new school year and new church activities.
One other thing we do that is that our pastor offers Saturday sessions called “Going Deeper.” They are for adults. Father Herb will take a topic and examine it more deeply than you can in a homily on Sunday. It’s an educative effort, and I feel like I’ve really learned something in depth when the session is over.
If we asked parishioners what they love most about the parish, what would they say?
Our charism is hospitality. People walk into our lively and friendly Masses and immediately feel at home. That’s why we are growing so fast. We actually like each other!
To see a list of all previously featured parishes, click here.
Image: Main image courtesy of Saint John XXIII Catholic Community
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