A Letter from Fr. Julius Okojie, our new pastor

by Fr. Julius

My dear parishioners,
Greetings of peace and goodwill to all of you!

I want to quickly reach out to you all in this season of transition. When on April 14th bishop Rhoades requested to meet with me after our priests meeting, I had no idea what the purpose of the meeting was. It was at that meeting that he announced to me that he was assigning me to St. Thérèse, Little Flower as Pastor. My first response was surprise. And he could see that written all over my face. I felt unworthy, but at the same time, in my heart, I knew I was willing. My initial response quickly changed to wonder. Even though the bishop had asked me a number of times in the past about my availability for ministry as Pastor, I was surprised that he trusted me enough to thrust me from my humble parish in Lakeville into a big parish such as Little Flower. I had been here at Little Flower in the past to help Father Tom Shoemaker with confessions, and once preached missions here for my home diocese in Nigeria during Father Terry’s time. As such, I had been here before, and met with some of you. But to now be assigned to be your Pastor came as a surprise. My wonder, among other things, had to do with how the resumption date would fit with an already scheduled travel. So, I asked the bishop about it. He was gracious in offering for me to make arrangement for a substitute while I am gone. And I thanked him for that. I know many of you are hoping to see me next weekend, but this letter is intended to anticipate that and to let you know that I would be out of town for a cousin’s wedding and other prior commitment that I am unable to change. I will definitely miss you next weekend, but I look forward with patient hope to meeting you in person next weekend. I have requested the help of Father William and he will be celebrating the Holy Mass here at the parish while I am away. Our staff will also be on ground to ensure smooth running of parish affairs.

Transitions, such as those occasioned by the transfer of priests, signal both losses and gains. Whereas one community looses someone very dear to them, another gains whom the other has lost. No doubt, while we look forward with anticipation for the new things ahead, we also feel some sense of loss. For me, and perhaps for Father Terry, there are various layers of losses I have to mourn. Although the changes seem to come quickly and I have been busy trying to move my belongings in order to make room for my successor, as well as giving him orientation, I have not had plenty of time to mourn. However, I have been intentional with not being in denial and to continue to name my losses so they are not in the shadows.

I must tell you that the pain of separation, of saying goodbyes, is real. It is also true that no two individuals feel exactly the same way in any given circumstance. And because of the uniqueness of our experiences and emotions, it is appropriate that we express those feelings to trusted friends or family or in safe communal spaces. I am sure our parish staff is providing such opportunities for everyone to own and express their feelings. I would hope that anyone who needs professional support would avail themselves of such.

Thank God, it is not all about losses. There are gains as well. I am grateful for the blessing of now belonging to a new family within the larger family of the church. While I am leaving my former parish to take residence in Little Flower, I bring with me the love and goodness my former parishioners showed me. And I hope to maintain the friendships formed. So, I can say that my family has just been enlarged by virtue of my becoming part of yours. I am excited about meeting you and sharing in the good works you are already doing.

Transitions of this kind also give expression to the catholicity of the Church and oneness of her mission at large, which is, ‘to go make disciples of all peoples’ (Matt 28:18-20). This mission, to my mind, is at the heart of transfers of priests. We are all called in baptism to participate in this mission. And priests, in our little ways, contribute to this mission of the church by the little efforts we make. I am grateful to Father Terry and all of you for the good work you have done together and are still committed to doing for our parish as she contributes to this mission. I pray Father Terry receives all the graces he needs to be faithful in his new assignment.

Thank you for your patience and understanding. May Jesus bless you, and may our Lady protect you!

With blessings from my heart,