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MOCKSVILLE -- Father John Starczewski was installed as pastor of St. Francis Parish in Mocksville by Bishop Peter Jugis on Aug. 13.

The bishop emphasized the importance of Father Starczewski's role in the three offices of the priesthood: teaching, sanctifying and governing the people of God. The bishop then proceeded to take Father Starczewski about the church where he will exercise those offices, not only in a sacramental way such as through confession and baptism, but also in the simple way of having the parish church open and available.

"Through these doors, people will come from their busy lives in the world," the bishop said as he presented the front doors of the church to the new pastor. "They come to be refreshed by receiving the sacred mysteries ... Make sure that the doors of your church, also, are open even at times outside of Mass times so the faithful of your parish can come spend quiet moments of prayer and be refreshed. There are many burdens, many heartaches, many hardships, but the people need to have moments to come here, to be at peace, to spend some moments with the Lord in the Most Holy Sacrament."

In his homily, the bishop also emphasized the role of the faithful in bringing the Gospel to those in their daily lives.

"Father cannot be everywhere in this big territory of Davie County, but by sanctifying you, you can go into your neighborhoods, into your community activities, into your schools. Your faith is not meant to be locked up here within the walls of the church building. But what happens here in transforming you makes the difference so you can go out there and bring Christ's light into the darkness of this world."

— Mary B. Worthington, Catholic News Herald