I have always been amazed to watch my parents dance. Now in their 90’s they no longer waltz, but when they were younger, they gracefully moved as one across the dance floor. Their seemingly effortless movement probably took years to master. And they probably had a lot of fun practicing. As I join the St. John the Baptist community as your new pastor, it’s like becoming new dance partners. It will take a while to learn the dance we begin. And a few toes might be inadvertently stepped on at first. This dance can be a bit complicated since neither you nor I take the lead. The Holy Spirit needs to be the one guiding us. The music that moves us is the Lord’s love and mercy he bestows on each of us. I may be a bit clumsy at first. I may step on your toes (do let me know if that happens). But let’s also have a lot of fun as we learn to move together in this dance we call the Christian Faith.
June 27, 2021
I guess this is my final pastor’s column for the bulletin. As I reminisce about my nineteen years of shepherding the flock of St. John the Baptist parish my heart is filled with gratitude. I have received so many blessings. When asked to come here back in early 2002 I did not hesitate to say yes. I knew that this parish was built on the principles of stewardship. I knew that Fr. Jack who was a year ahead of me in the seminary was a fine priest and pastor. I feel privileged to stand on his shoulders and those of the initial members of this community. Although there have been wonderful high points in our history such as our twenty fifth anniversary and the burning of the mortgage, my favorite part of being your pastor is the relationships I have fostered with so many of you over the years. You, with the help of the Holy Spirit have made this parish what it is today. I’m looking forward to being a part of the parish in a different way as time goes on. Fr. Bill McKee is a true servant leader with so many wonderful gifts. Welcome him as you welcomed me. I will continue to live three minutes away from the parish. See elsewhere in this bulletin my address, my cell phone number, and my email address. Take care and may the Lord bless you in every way. I love you!
June 20, 2021
As I wind down my tenure here as your pastor I can’t help but be deeply grateful for the relationships that have come about over the years. I especially am thankful for the pastoral staff, especially the present group, who have served our community so faithfully for many years. I would need several pastor columns to speak of each of them separately. Suffice it to say that they have always had your welfare at heart in all they do. They aren’t in it for the money, believe me. Each of them expresses stewardship as a way of life and they practice it. I have come to realize that they will be friends for life. Fr. Bill is inheriting a real treasure. Take the time to thank them. I most certainly do.
June 13, 2021
This weekend we continue with the readings from Ordinary Time. “Ordinary” comes from our use of ordinal numbers, e.g., first, second, third…eleventh. And we are entering on what has not been ordinary this past Covid year, mainly opening up our sanctuary to embrace so many more parishioners.
We are installing most of the chairs this weekend along with kneelers. I hope that many of you may join in our work party on Friday and Saturday (June 11-12.) Some sections will allow 100% capacity, others 50%.
We will begin our communion procession lines after a 15 month absence. And there is no more need for registration. If you are fully vaccinated, you may sit with others who are as well. We will still wear masks. I will explain all this and more this weekend.
Thanks for your patience and resilience over the past year. You are the best!
June 6, 2021
As we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ this weekend we hear Mark’s account of the Last Supper. Jesus identified himself with the bread and wine he shared with his apostles. He knew that partaking of meals would be a perpetual tradition they would be involved with for the rest of their lives. He wanted them to remember him in a special way when they gathered together to share bread and drink wine. “Take it, this is my body.” “This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many.” He wanted them and us to be nurtured for the journey. We are called to break ourselves open for others. Thanks for the many ways you are doing this in your families, for your schoolmates and work colleagues. Let’s pray that we will soon be fully gathered together again to share in the Eucharist.
May 30, 2021
Congratulations to the twenty- four young people who are to be Confirmed this Tuesday evening by Archbishop Etienne. May they indeed be filled with the gifts of the Holy Spirit in whatever vocation they find themselves. May the Lord bless them in every way.
I am thankful for the Spirit leading me in my life as a priest. Last Monday (May 24) I celebrated my forty sixth anniversary in the priesthood. That has consisted of five parishes, three of which I have been a pastor. As I approach my last month as an active priest, I give our gracious God thanks for all you have done for me these past nineteen years as your pastor. You are the best. May the Lord bless all of you. I love you.
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