What happens when a Catholic parish is nearly closed — and a 17th-century martyr intervenes?

In this special on-location episode of The Engage Parish Podcast, brought to you by eCatholic, we sit down with Father Chris Korcz, pastor of the Shrine of St. Andrew Bobola in Dudley, Massachusetts — the only shrine dedicated to this remarkable saint in the entire United States.

Father Chris shares the full story of how three providential signs during a moment of crisis — a mysterious phone call from Chicago, an unexpected inheritance, and a miraculous healing from cancer during the first-ever novena — led him to ask his bishop to elevate this struggling parish to a diocesan shrine. On May 11, 2025, that became a reality.

In this episode, you'll hear:

• The history and martyrdom of St. Andrew Bobola, a 17th-century Jesuit who died for his faith
• How St. Andrew has appeared and interceded throughout history — and why he's making himself known again
• The three signs Father Chris received that changed the course of his parish
• The story of a parishioner healed from colon cancer during the first novena
• How you can visit, join the anniversary celebrations this May, or watch via live stream
• Resources including a new book and papal encyclical on St. Andrew Bobola

🗓️ First Anniversary Celebrations — May 2025:

• Novena: May 1–3 & May 8–10 (featuring Fr. Mitch Pacwa from EWTN)
• Feast Day Mass: May 16 at noon (celebrant: Bishop Robert McManus, Diocese of Worcester)
• Polish-language celebration: May 17
• All celebrations available via live stream at ⁠https://standrewbobola.com⁠

📖 Resources mentioned:

• "The Apparitions of St. Andrew Bobola After His Death" — available in English & Polish at ⁠https://standrewbobola.com
• ⁠Invicti Athletae— Encyclical by Pope Pius XII, also available at the shrine website (Source: https://www.vatican.va/content/pius-xii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-xii_enc_16051957_invicti-athletae.html)