There are always mixed feelings involved in a transition. In the past month, I’ve felt sadness at leaving a faith community that I loved dearly. There was also some anxiety as I headed to a new parish. But as I write this, the strongest emotion now turns out to be excitement.
Even before today’s reception, y’all have been so very gracious in welcoming me. I am grateful for all the hard work that has gone into sprucing up the rectory with new paint and new furniture in the living room. It is unfortunately all too common that rectories are filled with left over junk. The parish leadership had our rectory cleared out before I arrived and I thank them.
But beyond your caring for me, I am excited that St. Michael’s is a healthy and vibrant faith community. I like the fact that many of you have a strong sense of ownership; that you are concerned about growing spiritually; that you prepare well for the weekend liturgies; and that you see outreach to the community, especially to the poor, as important.
I’ve no doubt that there may be some challenges ahead but I have confidence that we can face them together. I know that our parish leaders and in particular Mary Chapin and the Pastoral Council will help me learn how the parish is run and offer information about the community. I believe that a wise pastor consults his people because he believes that God's wisdom dwells in them. As I install our Pastoral Council this weekend, I ask your prayers and support for the good guidance they give.
And I would trust that you will also bless my new beginning as your parish priest. In fact, at the end of today’s Mass, I’d like to start a new tradition. Above is a blessing to conclude our Liturgy. I will sing and bless you, but then I’d ask you to echo the blessing back upon me. It may seem a little strange at first, but in the long run I’m hoping you’ll like it.
Finally, I ask you to extend the gracious welcome that you have offered me to my dear friend, Fr. Herb Sperger who is the Spiritual Director at St. Charles Seminary in Philadelphia. We attended rival High Schools and I got to the seminary a year later than he did, but for the past 45 years we have been the best of friends. Fr. Herb is taking a little R & R with us until he returns to the seminary on August 19
th.
Again, I am so very grateful for your warm welcome. Thank you,