15th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Own a little bit of Holy Family history! Holy Family has International Harvester 184 Lo-Boy tractor for sale. The 184 Lo-Boy was produced from 1977 to 1980 in Louisville, Kentucky. This compact utility tractor has an 18-hp, 1.0L 4-cyl gasoline engine with a 3-speed unsynchronized gear transmission. The PTO lists 11-hp output at 1600 RPM (counter-clockwise) with an electro-magnetic clutch. It has 2-wheel rear drive with mechanical drum brakes and manual front steering. It has an 8-gal gas tank. The 1.75-gal hydraulic system runs on a gear pump at 2000-psi and 2-gpm rate. It runs well, when the 12V battery is kept charged. It includes tire chains and a front snowplow blade. It is being sold as is.

I’ve been told (which someone might correct!) this tractor was purchased new by the parish. Msgr. Marchino used it to mow the parish lawns and do other miscellaneous chores around the campus. In the years since, it has occasionally been used to push snow from the sidewalks during the winter The last 7-years, it has been used for this purpose 4 or 5 times. Given its infrequent use & the space it takes up in the parish garage, we’ve decided it’s time for it to find a new home and a second take on life. Since it was purchased by the parish, it seemed just & right to offer it first to members of the parish before releasing it to the general public.

A few parishioners, including one who collects tractors, estimated its value at $3500. All reasonable offers will be entertained.

Please contact Fr Gries at: frgries@HolyFamilyNewAlbany.com or 812-944-8283x1.

I’m sure someone will quote to me Jesus’ admonition, “Stop making My Father’s House a marketplace” (Jn 2:16). And of course, they would be right & just. This isn’t your typical pastor’s column to encourage you in your walk with the Lord. It is a blatant sales advertisement. Yet, as a good steward of our parish resources, I’d like to see this tractor find a new home where it can be used & appreciated, since it has served our parish well & long.

Nothing Less than saints for the Holy Family of God.

Holy Family, Working to Build the Kingdom, Pray for us.

~ Fr Jeremy M. Gries