Live, Love, and Serve in the Image of Christ
Fr. Costa: Part One
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Fr. Costa came to our parish as our new pastor on June 20, 2022 and has been received with great joy. Now that he’s had a few months to settle in, Fr. Costa has graciously shared with us his thoughts on our parish and what makes a vibrant parish, as well as thoughts on the priesthood and his personal experience. We are presenting his interview in two parts.
Q: Welcome, again, Father! How has your reception been at St. Jude so far?
Very welcoming! Even before moving in, I received warmth from everyone, which is very comforting to a new pastor. Since I’ve been here I’ve seen many instances of how God connects us! I met people whose wedding I celebrated at my first assignment, Resurrection of Our Lord in the early 1990s, former parishioners from other parishes, and people who had relatives in other parishes who know me. Besides renewing old connections, meeting new people is an excitement and an encouragement.
Q: What do you think is the most important mission of a Catholic parish?
I am convinced that the liturgy is the center of everything we’re about. Vatican II taught that everything flows from the Mass, and everything flows to the Mass. If we’re not centered around the precious gift of the Eucharist, we won’t be able to carry out our mission. I have read about St. Katharine Drexel, and there was a community that wanted her to open a school but didn’t want Mass being offered at that location. St. Katharine refused, because if there was no Mass, there would be no mission.
Q: What do you think are the key qualities for a vibrant parish?
Connecting all of the parish activities to the celebration of the Sacraments and having good guides for formation to help people to grow, including school and prep students, RCIA, and adult faith programs.
Involvement and ongoing formation of leadership roles for the laity. We’re still coming to an understanding of the spirituality of the laity.
A well-developed mission statement with a focus on the Gospel is essential. We must be focused on the Gospel and discernment of what God is inviting us to. That leads to a vibrant parish community.
Q: Have you seen any strengths in St. Jude parish already?
Yes, many. St. Jude parish is a community that’s welcoming, generous, and has a strong sense of service. The staff is devoted to truly serving the people. I’m sensitive to all the transition unfolding in staffing, and yet people are remaining committed and connected.
We have a beautiful church and chapel in which to worship. We're blessed with 321 students in the school and an active board and HSA. And it was inciteful of Msgr. Beach to begin the Focus on the Future of a Next Generation Parish, identifying opportunities to live out the mission of St. Jude Parish.
Q: What do you think are the most important qualities in a pastor?
Lived-out charity, humility, and prayer are the essential qualities: a pastor who is prayerful and humble, striving to embrace loving service like Jesus our High Priest; who is present to the people; who has a heart to draw people to Christ, recognizing gifts and inviting them to serve. It’s a special joy when you feel the Lord identifying someone for some service to the church, then seeing that person grow in faith as they embrace their service. One of the greatest joys is to watch someone become fire. I also have a sensitivity for the sick and dying. It’s a profound place to walk with someone as they’re preparing to go home.
An effective pastor also has administrative skills, is able to delegate, and has to prayerfully discern what God is calling us to as a parish. If we’re faithful to what God is inviting us to, it will be life-giving. If not, it will not last.
Watch for the continuation of this interview, in which Fr. Costa discusses the priesthood and his experiences, as well as his favorite pastimes and what we might be surprised to know about him!
Click here to read Part Two of the interview
