I am very grateful for the gracious hospitality that has been extended by so many of you as the team of priests has begun ministry to the parishes of Carroll County.   People have been very welcoming and accommodating – we really do appreciate that!   As we meet so many of you, continue to remind us of your names!  
 
Sacrament of Reconciliation – As the priests have visited about our rotation through the parishes, we have realized that the practice for offering Reconciliation/Confessions has varied significantly from parish to parish.  In order to bring consistency (so that we don’t always have to try to remember what is happening in each separate parish), we will begin immediately to offer Reconciliation/Confession 30 minutes before each of the weekend masses in each of the sites.   (This replaces whatever the current practice has been in each site).     Of course, the sacrament is also always available with any priest by appointment.
 
This week, we continue giving each priest on the team an opportunity to give a little background about himself:
 
Father Timothy Schott bio:   I grew up on a farm & belonged to Sacred Heart Parish in Early. I graduated from Loras College, Collegium Canisianum in Innsbruck, Austria (MA Theology), University of Notre Dame (MA Liturgy), & University of Saint Thomas/Saint Paul Seminary (PhD in ministry). I taught at Kuemper High School (1977-85), was part of the diocesan RENEW team (1985-89), & served in various parishes (1970-2015) before retiring. Since 2015 I have served as  Senior Priest & part-time parochial vicar at Carroll Holy Spirit & Willey Saint Mary parishes. Presiding, preparing & preaching a Sunday homily has been a mainstay of my spiritual life for 47 years. I am grateful for the opportunity to continue this. I am an avid reader. I enjoy music, traveling, & art galleries. I have spent more than half of my ministry in Carroll County & am committed to strengthening Catholic life here.