August 27, 2023
A parishioner from a church to which I was assigned about ten years ago as part of seminary formation sent me photos of some letters and a handmade baptismal garment she found in her grandmother’s attic. “Father, look at this bundle of religious items from 1908,” she wrote. “The priest writing to my great-grandmother was from the Catholic Church in Elkton. Thought you’d love to see the history since you’re there now.”
What particularly caught my eye was the note at the top of the stack, written by the pastor of Immaculate Conception at the time – a Father Peter Arnd. Apparently, the backstory behind the letter was that after a difficult pregnancy and a request for Masses to be offered, Father Arnd wrote to the young mother congratulating her for an eventual healthy birth. “Didn’t I tell you that God would let everything turn out all right?” he asked. He then advised Baptism for the little one within a week – “we should not delay such a sacrament.”
Like many of you, I’m sure, I love these glimpses into the past moments of our parish family history that have shaped our lives and encouraged us on our journeys of faith. The letters from Fr. Arnd clearly meant a lot to this young mom at the time, so much so that she saved them and passed them down to future generations to cherish. It is clear that her connection to Immaculate Conception meant the world to her and those who came after her.
Beginning now and culminating in 2024, our parish will celebrate 175 years as a Catholic community serving Cecil County and beyond. In the weeks and months ahead, we will be planning ways to celebrate and cherish our history as Catholics united in our faith. Look for stories and historical moments to be shared across our social media platforms as well as our parish bulletin. And perhaps most importantly, begin to reflect on the ways this parish has been a guiding light for your family for these past generations. Our Immaculate Conception/St Jude story is important to tell, and to keep passing on to the generations to come.
After all, what greater mission do we have to those who come after us than to remind them of the very message Fr. Arnd shared with one of his own worried parishioners back in 1908: “Didn’t I tell you God would let everything turn out all right?”