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 Father Richard L. Lifrak, ss.cc., is a member of the
USA East Coast Province. Richard was born of Jewish parents in
Massachusetts; made his Bar Mitzvah; and excelled
in science through graduate school. But along with his academic
studies he always engaged in a search for life’s deepest meaning and
his truest call. After a stint in Buddhism, he found his heart’s
home in a Church founded 2000 years ago also by a person of Jewish
parentage. Richard was professed as an SS.CC. in 1988. After
completing seminary studies, he was ordained to priesthood in 1995.
He served as pastor of Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in New
Bedford, Massachusetts, before coming to Artesia. Fr. Richard
describes his current duties:
Based on the needs of the people
in Artesia and my own talents, these are the pastoral activities to
which I have dedicated myself:
· Sharing of Sunday Masses for the three parishes and two missions we
serve, but with a preferred emphasis on celebrating Masses at
Immaculate Conception, along with exerting a pastoral presence in
that parish.
· Working to revive the Cursillo movement, chiefly at Our Lady of
Grace Parish.
·
Sharing in the teaching of the Diocese-sponsored Pastoral Ministry
Formation Program, a three-year program for training and empowering
lay people for ministry.
· Leading a Bible Study program, so far only at Our Lady of Grace.
·
Involvement in the struggle against drug addiction by membership in the religious
committee of the Drug-Crime Task Force, along with prayer walks with concerned parishioners.
·
A weekly column in the religious section of the local newspaper.
· Educator for peacemaking theology and practice, seeking to construct
a regional Peace Alliance.
· Marriage preparation.
· Visiting the sick and dying.
· Counseling and Spiritual Direction.
· Miscellaneous activities to collaborate in education and community
building at Our Lady of Grace, e.g., Eucharistic Minister Workshops.
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