Bill Blaul
Special to The Michigan Catholic

Sterling Heights – The pastor of St. Malachy Parish in Sterling Heights decided last year that his parish volunteers were doing enough, and it would need to be his responsibility to conduct the parish Changing Lives Together campaign.

Fr. Joseph Gembala made it an intensely personal effort. After consulting with parish leaders to determine parish priorities, they decided to time the campaign to coincide with Fr. Gembala’s 25-year anniversary as a priest. Fr. Gembala then determined to put to use his 16 years of experience as pastor at St. Malachy by personally visiting as many parishioner households as he could to explain the campaign and ask for their support.

“I made about 600 home visits,” he said. “I walked to some, drive to others, whatever it took.” St. Malachy parishioners have pledged more than $498,000 to the campaign, surpassing the archdiocesan target. Reflecting on the commitment of time and energy it would take to reach the goal, Fr. Gembala adopted a personal theme of pilgrimage for his efforts.

“In life we’re always moving, and hopefully moving forward to the Lord,” he said. “I decided to conduct a personal 40 Days for Lifeprayer vigil at an area abortion clinic, and I kept moving – walking back and forth in prayer each day at the clinic, which helped me prepare for the work to come.”

In March, campaign proceeds enabled the installation of two large video screens in the church by the Redford-based Sound Planning.

“A hearing-impaired parishioner thought the screens would help improve participation in the liturgy, and that’s exactly what’s happened,” Fr. Gembala said. “We scroll the words to music, the Gloria, the responsorial psalm, the creed and other parts of the Mass. Instead of the faithful focused on hymnals, I’m literally hearing their voices rise in worship and prayer.”

Most of the campaign proceeds at St. Malachy are going into a cash reserve for the parish, which has no debt.

“In all endeavors like this, it’s important for the pastor to connect with the faithful, and for them to trust in him and in God. All sorts of things are possible when that’s your starting point. It took a lot of guts for Archbishop Vigneron to pull this off, and I give him credit for his leadership. I think he’s done a darn good job.” – Fr. Joseph Gembala, pastor, St. Malachy Parish, Sterling Heights

Fr. Gembala completed his pilgrimage-themed initiative last October by participating in the famed Camino Portugués, a 200-mile journey of faith from Lisbon, Portugal, to Santiago, Spain, and the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral.

“Hiking 20 miles a day amid lots of prayer proved to be a great metaphor for life,” he said. “You have to do a lot of walking in life, you’ve got to move, and you have to do your part. I offered it all up to God." Fr. Gembala was accompanied on the trek by his godson, Brian Bishop, an Oakland County dentist.

Fr. Gembala and St. Malachy parishioners are now preparing for Summerfest 2013, the annual parish festival Aug. 16-18.