One Thread in the Tapestry

When it was announced in May that I would be leaving Saint Patrick Parish and heading to Rice Lake to serve the parishes in that community, I mentioned at the end of Mass that there would be both grief and gratitude. That emotional combination has absolutely continued and will continue in the months ahead during this transition in my own life and in the life of our parish. I want to share a few highlights of gratitude from the last few weeks, especially wanting to highlight the experience that I had at the anniversary of the dedication of our church. 

We celebrated the Mass together on June 10th, the day after the 35th anniversary of the dedication of the church at 1500 Vine Street and that Mass was truly special. Not only was it a great opportunity to gather and remember the many blessings of the last 35 years, but also it was a great opportunity to pray for the future of our parish. One of the key elements of the future of our parish will be the leadership of our priests, and it has been a blessing to serve with Fr. John as a part of the long history of priestly leadership. While we were celebrating the Mass that day, I was surprised that God put on my heart to speak about Fr. Peter Szleszinski, but I came to learn that the gospel we selected for Mass from Matthew, chapter 16, in which Jesus founds the Church upon Peter, was actually a significant passage as well in the life of Fr. Peter, the priest who built our church. 

I've been thinking a lot about the priests here as I depart and become a priest alum of the parish. I was reflecting also on how, in this month of June, we see such great diversity, unity, and gifts that God has given us through the priesthood. The month began with the celebration of the Mass on Corpus Christi, led by Fr. Thomas Kanna, who will be the associate pastor with me in Rice Lake. Then, Fr. Patrick Sorrells, returned as our fourth teaching parish seminarian who has been ordained as a priest. This weekend I will celebrate the Masses for the final time as associate pastor. Next weekend we will welcome from our sister parish in Guatemala Bishop Rodolfo Nuñez.

Isn't that so special that in just one month we will have priests from India, Guatemala, North Dakota, and Wisconsin all bowing down at our altar to celebrate the Mass? There indeed is quite a tapestry that God has woven in our parish through the hands of his priests. I am honored, imperfect as I am, to have been one small thread in this tapestry.

Though I am sad to depart, I am eager for what lies ahead. It has been a tremendous honor to serve you. To all parishioners, I love you. I will pray for you. I ask, please, that you will pray for me. May God, who has begun this good work in all of us at Saint Patrick Parish, bring it to fulfillment.

Gracias a Dios.