About our Pastor:
Father Anthony “Tony” Fortman, C.PP.S., grew up in Ottawa, Ohio. Father Tony graduated from Ottawa-Glandorf High School and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Bluffton College. After attending Catholic Theological Union in Chicago for Seminary, he served as Associate Pastor at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Cleveland for 3 years, followed by vocational work, and then served as Associate Pastor at the St. Henry Cluster in Mercer County for the next 5 years. He became pastor of St. Gaspar Family of Parishes after a 13-year assignment as Pastor at St. John the Baptist in Glandorf, Ohio. Learn more about our Pastor.
February 22, 2026
Today we begin the first Sunday of Lent. We see Jesus driven into the desert by the Holy Spirit. Right away, Satan is coming after him. Remember “HALT.” Whenever you are hungry, angry, lonely, and tired, Satan will come after you. He will come after you because you are weak and because Satan is a cheap shot. He will take every chance he can to stab you in the back. He is the father of lies. He is not on your side. After Satan coerces you, he will accuse you in the next moment.
Satan tells Jesus, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become loaves of bread.” Jesus says in reply, “It is written: One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.”
He tells Jesus, “If you are the Son of God…” Jesus has nothing to prove to Satan. You could say Satan is trying to get Jesus to doubt himself. Jesus doesn’t need Satan’s approval.
In this passage, we see one does not live only on the physical aspects of life. We need the divine aspects of life also. Like God’s word. Food and drink only last for a while. But God‘s word is eternal. That is why Jesus is the Eternal Word. God‘s words will never end. During this time of Lent, let us focus on what will last forever. That will either be heaven or hell. Let us control our bodies and not let our bodies control us.
God bless you all,
Fr. Tony
February 15, 2026
Today we hear from Sirach:
“If you choose you can keep the commandments,
they will save you;
if you trust in God, you too shall live.
He has set before you fire and water;
to whichever you choose, stretch forth your hand.
Before man are life and death, good and evil,
whichever he chooses shall be given him.
Immense is the wisdom of the Lord;
he is mighty in power, and all-seeing.
The eyes of God are on those who fear him;
he understands man’s every deed.
No one does he command to act unjustly,
to none does he give license to sin.”
I had to print the whole reading— it is so good. Basically, God gives you a choice. You can choose good or evil. But whatever you choose will be yours. Thank God He gives us a chance to repent. It is very clear that God does not want us to sin. He does not give us a license to sin.
I would say that each one of us has to put up a fight against sin. Paul tells us that, “Some of us have not resisted temptation to the point of bloodshed.” This means that we have to put up a fight against temptation and sin.
God‘s power always overrides Satan‘s power. So we know we have the ability to let go of certain sinful inclinations. But we can’t do it by ourselves. This is why prayer is so important. This is why the Rosary is so important. The Blessed Virgin Mary told Saint Dominic, “Whatever you ask through the Rosary shall be
granted.” Don’t go into a fight without having a weapon. Saint JosemarÍa Escrivá says, “The Rosary is your weapon against evil.”
God bless you all,
Fr. Tony
February 8, 2026
In today’s first reading from Isaiah, we hear,
“Thus says the LORD:
Share your bread with the hungry,
shelter the oppressed and the homeless;
clothe the naked when you see them,
and do not turn your back on your own.
Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,
and your wound shall quickly be healed.”
We have a tremendous St. Vincent de Paul community with our parish family. Think of all the people who are fed, the clothes given away, and the furniture that is given to the needy. Scripture tells us that when we take care of the needs of others, God will heal our wounds and our health. So the act of taking care of another will actually take care of us.
In today’s gospel, we see Jesus telling us, “Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.” When we give to others, there is a light that shines around us. Our active giving makes our lives beautiful. Continue to give of yourself the best way you can. Some of us can’t give much, but what little we do give makes a difference for others.
God bless you all,
Fr. Tony