OLYPHANT, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Two local churches are now one after a mass that celebrated their merger. They not only formed a new parish, but also took on a name no other parish in America has had until now.
28/22 News Reporter Avery Nape explains how the parish's identity is now that of one of the youngest saints in the history of the church.
Two churches in two different communities, now coming together as one parish. Mergers like this one between Holy Cross Parish in Olyphant and Blessed Sacrament Parish in Throop are not uncommon in the Diocese of Scranton, but this one is different.
"I would imagine with any change, there is pain, letting go of the past, that which is familiar. But at the same time, I think there was a certain dynamism created by our patron, Blessed Carlo, soon to be Saint Carlo Acutis," Blessed Carlo Acutis Parish Pastor Reverand Scott Sterowski stated.
Carlo Acutis is the name of the teen who will become the first millennial saint in just two months.
The London native who lived in Italy was just 15 when he passed away in 2006 after battling leukemia.
He was a devout Christian and computer programmer who used the online world to share his devotion for the catholic faith, a faith he put into practice.
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"He was known to volunteer at soup kitchens, he would save his allowance money to buy clothing for homeless people. He was just kind and compassionate to all he met," Reverand Sterowski explained.
Members of both churches gathered after mass for a social and spoke highly of Carlo and the merger, making their parish the first in the US to bear the name of the revered teen.
"I see it as, you know, a great union, and it's quite an honor to have Blessed Carlos as our new name and to follow his life and the incredible story that that young man had," Throop Parishioner Arthur Phillip Jr. said.
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"I think it's a great beginning. We had a great mass today, and I think we're going to come together. This little get-together today is beautiful, and it's attended by a lot of people, and I think it's going to continue," Judy Korgeski from Dickson City told 28/22 News.
While the change is still so new, reverend sterowski says he is hopeful for the parish's future.
"We are going to be a work in progress. New committees, new societies, new ministries will be organized, and we hope to grow as a community. Stronger, united as one in Christ," Reverand Sterowski continued.
Carlo Acutis will officially become a catholic saint on September 7.
Reverend Sterowski says the two churches that make up the new parish will host special masses and social events that month to celebrate their patron saint.
