None of us, not even him, saw this coming...
He is a good man and he has been our pastor for five years. I always assumed (and I think he did too) that he would be in our parish for the next, oh 30 years until he retired. I also assumed he'd be around to bury me....
However, he stunned us with the news this weekend that he is now being transferred from our parish to become pastor of another parish and also vicar of one of the counties in our archdiocese. You could hear the collective gasp in the congregation when he made his announcement and we could hear him getting choked up. They are moving him up to bigger and better things, however he is leaving the people he has come to love and count on. He doesn't want to go but realizes he has to and has asked for our prayers for this new journey of his. He came the year my daughter was confirmed. He was there to congratulate her on her full scholarship to high school. He was there when my son was confirmed and he was there to watch them both graduate from grade school.
He is also my kids' first-ever boss. Both of my kids have had the privilege of working at the rectory and he and my daughter have gotten into some fairly heated discussions over who she will marry and whether or not he will allow an outdoor wedding (frowned upon in the Catholic church). He is like a mother hen and matchmaker all rolled up in one - constantly putting out suggestions for possible dates for my daughter. He's like another dad. He's been wonderful to both of my children. He's tried so hard to make our parish feel once again like a community - something the previous pastor didn't even bother to try doing.
God has big plans for this man but, sadly, being with us is not part that plan anymore. While we didn't always agree with all of the changes he brought to our parish, we never wished for him to leave.
He'll leave us on June 15, two days after we close up the parish carnival - a tradition he started three years ago. What will we do now?????
6 comments:
Oh Dot...that's so sad to hear! I can't even imagine how much you are all going to miss him. :( Especially when it sounds like he has started so many wonderful things for your parish. That makes me sad for you...
This made me sad. I am so thankful your children had the wonderful blessing of growing up in such a great relationship with your pastor. I will pray that God brings just the perfect person to your community.
That is truly a bummer. It seems a bit foreign to me that churches can move people around like that. Hopefully God will send a wonderful replacement, although I know it will take a long time to get used to someone new, especially when you liked the previous pastor so much!
That's so sad! One things for sure, God will provide!
Thanks for all of your comfort comments. Yes, we are extremely sad - so much so that I am actually getting that feeling in the pit of my stomach.... He turned the parish around when he came. My husband works with a man who is in the parish that our incoming pastor is in right now and he said they are happy he is leaving.... that just makes this whole thing so much worse. But, we do trust in Him that somehow, some way things will be fine.
Try having a pastor for 20 years and a personal friend and related by marriage decide to retire.... and I still cannot step back into the church....Oh i have tried, but it doesn't fit anymore....even tried a couple of other churches....can't seem to find the right fit.... praying for guidance, following God in nature here on the farm.... hoping for a church home again!
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