A journey of faith: Two Erie priests discover unexpected blessings along the way
By Allison Mosier10/15/2026
What began as a road trip to purchase a tabernacle became an opportunity for fellowship, spiritual growth and a reminder of the importance of trusting in God's plan.
Sometimes, the Holy Spirit leads us in directions we never expected. For Father Larry Richards and Father Brandon Feikles, a late-August road trip across Pennsylvania and into Delaware and New York became much more than an opportunity to purchase liturgical furnishings. It became a nearly 24-hour adventure filled with prayer, friendship and unexpected blessings.
The journey began when Father Richards invited Father Feikles to accompany him on a trip to find a tabernacle for Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Erie. Father Richards had identified one he was interested in purchasing, but wanted to see it in person before making a decision.
"I thought he was nuts and told him to ship the tabernacle so he didn't have to do this insanity," Father Feikles recalled. "But because he is a prudent man and I am a glutton for punishment, I decided to go with him."
The two priests share an appreciation for beautiful churches and sacred furnishings, making the trip an opportunity to explore items that could enhance worship in their respective ministries.
Their day began at 3 a.m. with holy hour and the celebration of Mass before departing Erie at 6 a.m. They arrived at the Delaware Church Warehouse around 1:30 p.m., where more than 12,000 items were available for purchase.
But the tabernacle they had traveled so far to see wasn't what Father Richards had envisioned.
Rather than settle, he trusted that something better might be waiting.
Their search continued to a second location, where they discovered a different tabernacle, angels and other sacred furnishings for Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church. Father Feikles also found several items for Catholic worship at Penn State Behrend, including a thurible, incense boat, stand, cruets, bells and altar candles.
"Driving in my truck to get all this stuff ended up being the perfect solution to what God had in store for us," Father Feikles said.
After loading the truck, the priests began the long journey home, stopping for pizza and coffee along the way. They arrived in Erie around 1:30 a.m., but their excitement over the new tabernacle was too great to wait until morning. They spent another 45 minutes positioning and setting it up at the church.
Beyond the furnishings they brought home, Father Feikles said the time spent together was among the greatest gifts of the experience.
"The drive was a blast," he recalled. "We sang praise and worship quite a bit, ripped each other a lot, and I took advantage of that time to ask a priest of 30+ years on how he hears confessions and handles difficult moments in the confessional. It was a real gift to me to be with him for all that time."
The experience also provided a powerful lesson about discernment and surrendering personal expectations to God's will.
Father Feikles reflected on how Father Richards approached the decision not to purchase the original tabernacle. Rather than forcing a decision simply because they had traveled so far, he continued to pray for guidance and the peace that comes with following God's direction.
"He didn't have that inner peace of heart; that 'shalom' where you know where you are in the will of God for your life," Father Feikles explained. "He felt purchasing it was forcing God's will… so he didn't budge. He knew the right one was elsewhere."
That willingness to remain open led to unexpected blessings for both priests and the communities they serve.
"We all need to strive to remain open to God even if it stretches us in areas of trust and surrender," Father Feikles said. "Openness to the Holy Spirit is a must."
Today, visitors to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church can see the tabernacle and angels discovered during the trip. At Penn State Behrend, the new liturgical furnishings are helping enhance the celebration of Mass, while work continues on a Blessed Sacrament chapel within the Smith Chapel building, an effort Father Richards is also helping support.Both priests expressed gratitude for the generosity of the benefactors whose support made the purchases possible.
For Father Feikles, the adventure is a reminder that faith often requires a willingness to let go of carefully made plans and trust where God is leading.
"May we all remain open to the will of God… because He is interested in taking you on adventures that bring your heart to life," he said. "He is a wild God… wildly in love with each of us and with fulfilling our every desire."
What began as a search for a tabernacle ultimately became a testament to friendship, generosity and the unexpected ways the Holy Spirit works when people are willing to follow.
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