July, 2025

Your Prayers Helped Guide Bro. Steven

Fr. John Schmidt, C.Ss.R.

Dear Co-Redemptorist,

Redemptorists have a missionary spirit and our mission is to “…raise up and develop communities that will walk worthily in the vocation to which they are called, and exercise the priestly, prophetic and royal offices with which God has endowed them.” For some it meant accepting an assignment to the foreign missions such as Brazil or Thailand where many newly ordained men went to preach in a place they didn’t know. Language was probably the biggest obstacle, but some did exceptionally well, even without knowing the language well. Being with people in all their joys and sorrows, hopes and fears is the life of a Redemptorist.

This year it means that Bro. Steven Urban is spending part of his pastoral year at St. Alphonsus Minneapolis. He’s practicing his Spanish and engaging in the work of the parish, meeting people and talking with them about their faith. He has a Redemptorist heart which is wonderful to experience. Sometimes we get caught up in the complicated details of our ministry and forget that ministry unfolds in many simple ways, such as sharing a cup of coffee, watching “The Chosen,” sharing our faith, or washing the dishes. Bro. Steven is participating in building up our Christian community.

As Co-Redemptorists you pray for our seminarians throughout their journey and your prayers help guide people such as Bro. Steven to follow their vocation. Thank you for praying for Bro. Steven and I ask you to keep up the prayers as well as your financial support. So much happens through your witness.

Later in July we mark the feast of the Most Holy Redeemer. It’s an important day to reflect what it means to have Jesus as our Redeemer. There is a wonderful phrase in the Easter proclamation that captivates me every year: “O happy fault, O necessary sin of Adam that gained for us so great a Redeemer.” I like that God has a plan for our redemption and does so out of tremendous love. This is the love we celebrate at Mass Sunday after Sunday. As we celebrate our Redeemer, we remember that out of sin God brings redemption.

God bless you!

Father John K. Schmidt, C.Ss.R.
Director, Co-Redemptorist Association

P.S.: Have you considered including the Redemptorists in your estate plans? Through your stewardship, you share in our many Redemptorists ministries. Will you join us on this final journey of Faith? Fr. Thomas Pham, C.Ss.R., Office of Financial Services, is available to discuss a special legacy gift that can continue the Redemptorists’ work beyond your lifetime. Send him an email, or call at 312-248-8894.