Bishop Alfred Schlert celebrated the Berks Deanery Mass Sept. 21 at St. Ignatius Loyola, Sinking Spring.
“For over six months, the good and faithful people from the Berks Deanery prayed to our Lord God to send us a shepherd after his son’s Sacred Heart: one who is courageous, faithful and a humble servant. In his divine wisdom, God answered our prayers with the selection of Bishop Schlert as the new spiritual leader of our Diocese,” said Father Thomas Bortz, pastor of St. Ignatius Loyola and vicar forane of the Berks Deanery.
Father Bortz invited everyone to take a holy card of Bishop Schlert as they exited Mass, and prominently display it somewhere in their home. “It would then serve as a reminder to pray for him each day. I told them that I would be putting mine in the refrigerator – the Bishop and congregation roared.”
With great joy, Bishop Alfred Schlert was warmly welcomed to the Berks Deanery Mass. We had a beautiful celebration in thanksgiving to God for our new Bishop,” said Father Thomas Bortz.
