Pastor&#039;s Letter -- June 13, 2021

by Fr. Terry

Here we are. This is my last weekend at the parish and my last bulletin column. It is hard to believe. There are many beautiful memories that I will carry in my heart from the past years (almost five) at this parish. I thought I’d try to make a list even though it will be hard to do well. Still, I believe G.K. Chesterton is right in saying, “If a thing is worth doing, it is worth doing badly.” (Just like newlyweds should dance at their reception whether trained experts, amateurs, or novices, and parents should teach their kids about life and common sense whether expert psychologists or no.)

So here we go: I will remember so many weddings, funerals, baptisms, and other pivotal moments in the lives of parishioners. I will remember Simbang Gabi and other Filipino celebrations. I will remember visiting people in the hospitals or their homes to anoint or bring Holy Communion. I will remember Vicki Schwab and Brian Garland, who passed away while still on staff for the parish. I will remember parish picnics and having some silly fun in front of everyone, and the parish feast days. I’ll remember All Souls’ day Masses. I will remember the amazing work of both our Food Pantry and the Whatsoever You Do program. I will remember embarking on a capital campaign and the boiler stopping on the weekend before a Monday Christmas (yikes!). I’ll remember the families I was able to spend an evening with for dinner or some other celebration, including house blessings, etc. I won’t forget working with other staff and volunteers to put new flooring down in the upper room and two of the parish center rooms. I will remember traveling to Steubenville with the youth group and doing local mission weeks at the parish. I’ll remember young adult events and programs. I will never forget the joy of helping Redeemer Radio’s apostolate and collaborating with Forever Learning Institute. I certainly will always remember the church renovations and starting our own Knights of Columbus council at the parish. And of course, I’ll remember the seminarians who lived with me, and my housemate Fr. William. Okay, I’m gonna stop my list there, knowing I could put more but confident there would be more still overlooked.

But the reason all those memories are fond to me is all of you. The priesthood is a joy because lives are shared and God is met in a myriad of ways in and through others. I have grown to call this place home and to know of you as family, as brothers and sisters in Christ. Thank you again for your love and support over the years and despite my imperfections. Know that you will be with me at all times in the mystical union we have in Jesus Christ. If death does not separate us, certainly distance will not. This is part of the great blessing of the Eucharist: the Communion of the Saints is not only for heaven but for us here on earth, for all who are united in Christ. May Jesus Christ continue to keep us close as we journey towards heaven.