If you would have told me at Christmas 2016 that I will spend 5 months being the priest at St. Michael’s Catholic Church on Tybee Island, I would have laughed out loud and said, “No chance!”
But, here I am on the last weekend of a 5 month stay with y’all, this beautiful and magnificent community. The Lord said in John’s Gospel, “This is how they will know you are my disciples, if they have love for one another.” There are true disciples of Jesus Christ here! Thank you for the example that you have given me of true parish and church community. The way that y’all care for one another and love one another – that is not to say that there are not disagreements – is exemplary.
I have enjoyed my time here “at the beach.” The sunscreen has been put to good use! It has been beautiful to walk the beach, drive Tybee Road, and ride my bike around the Island. But, most of all, it has been such blessing and pleasure getting to know each of you. It is difficult to leave.
But we go new adventures this week! I will be a new Pastor with two priests working with me, a school, a convent of sisters, a monastery of Carmelite nuns, and an Adoration Chapel. I am the pastor of everything and everyone south of Derenne to White Bluff and Coffee Bluff and everything and everyone from Abercorn to the ocean! You, St. Michael’s, have prepared me for this!
We are continuing our journeys of faith excited to see where the Lord will lead us. Fr. Jerry Ragan will be here and use his many years of priestly experience and wisdom to guide you deeper into union with Jesus. He will do well here with you and you are in good hands with him. As disciples of Jesus we continue to grow in faith, hope, and charity. We continue to surround ourselves with Truth, Goodness, and Beauty. I look forward to seeing where and how the Lord leads us!
Each of you, St. Michael’s, and Tybee Island holds a special place in my heart and will always be dear to me. I carry you with me to St. James and wherever Jesus may lead me.
Please carry me in your hearts. Please pray for me, that I may be a good, holy, healthy, and happy priest of Jesus Christ and pastor to whomever He may entrust to my care. Please pray for me.