Casting the Net for
Co-Redemptorists
Co-Redemptorists are lay men and women who take an active role in helping to recruit and support young men who choose to pursue religious life as Redemptorist priests and brothers.
By Aaron Meszaros, C.Ss.R.
As a student more than a decade ago, I joined Fr. Patrick Keyes to preach a Co-Redemptorist Appeal at my hometown parish, St. Alphonsus in Grand Rapids. Though I was far from being a prophet in my hometown, I felt a lot of anxiety about sharing my reflection. I remember like it was yesterday how fitting the Gospel was for a Co-Redemptorist Appeal: Jesus called the disciples, declaring he will make them fishers of men. In my reflection, I shared how Christ is casting his net of love out upon each of us; how he draws us in as servants in the Kingdom. With deep gratitude, I thanked the people of my home parish, many of whom had been faithful Co-Redemptorists for years. It was a humbling moment. Their generosity and support was tangible, like a net of love cast out upon us.
Sixteen years later, I continue to preach Co-Redemptorist Appeals. No longer as a student, though at times accompanied by one. I recently visited St. Alphonsus Parish in Minneapolis, accompanied by Luis Callahuara of the North American Theologate in San Antonio. Luis shared a particularly impactful story of a visit to a woman who had experienced great loss in her life and was all alone. After a four-hour journey on foot, he reached her home. She was so overcome with emotion that she broke down in tears. That is the power of simply being present. He reminded all of those gathered that their spiritual presence in our lives is just as impactful and powerful.
The Co-Redemptorist Association continues to be a strong area of support for the Denver Province. Our outreach includes monthly letters to donors penned by Fr. John Schmidt, as well as Co-Redemptorist Appeals preached by confreres and Redemptorist seminarians. We are currently exploring new methods of promoting Co-Redemptorists in all of our ministries, as well as new ways of accepting donations.
As we remain in partnership with our Co-Redemptorists, let’s continue to pray for them. Although we are the ones making the trek to preach Appeals in their parishes, perhaps they also are on a journey to be close to us in their generosity, in their sacrifice, and in their prayers.
Become an active partner in this important work as a Co-Redemptorist today!
