Dear Parishioners,
Yesterday, I started packing some
of my stuff. This is not a task I look forward to doing. Sometimes I just sit
and stare. Most objects that I own have a memory attached or a unique, personal
significance. Everything in the rectory has to be packed and transported to
Brigantine, NJ over the next seven weeks.
In case you were not present at
this past weekend’s Masses when it was announced, I have been reassigned by the Bishop as the new pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in
Brigantine, effective July 1st. I replace Fr. Edward Maher who is
retiring. Fr. Michael Matveenko, the current pastor of St. Mary’s Church (on the other side of Springdale Road), will act
as administrator of St. Thomas More Parish.
The sad reality we have to face
as a parish and as a diocese is the rapidly declining number of diocesan
priests. Projections over the next decade indicate that we will have about half
of the number of diocesan priests needed to staff our current parishes.
Remember the Bishop is only ordaining one priest this year on Saturday.
There were two ordained last year. Other years there were none.
Regarding this parish, the number
of parishioners and families has traditionally been small. This situation,
unfortunately, cannot continue as the number of priests decline. We will need
to combine programs and consolidate Masses with our neighboring
parishes—particularly St. Mary’s.
Most people, including myself,
dread or resist change. We like things to remain the same. However, change can
also cause positive outcomes and lead to growth—both personal and communal. We
can meet new people, find creative solutions, and help spread the faith to a
wider group of people. Without change, we can sometimes become complacent or too
comfortable in our lives—even with sin—if we don’t improve or try to grow.
Change can be positive.
So as I prepare myself mentally,
spiritually and emotionally for another assignment, I pray that I have
contributed something positive to this parish and to your lives. No priest is
perfect and I have made my mistakes. However, I have tried to do what I thought
was best spiritually for my parish
and its parishioners. The salvation of souls is and will continue to be
my primary concern.
Have I been able to accomplish
everything that I wanted to do? Unfortunately, the answer is no. Many plans were left
undone. Any unfinished business will have to be left for someone else. Sorry
for that. Priests are all too human. We struggle. We fail. We
hurt. Unfortunately, we sin as well. I have realized both
my fragile humanity and my mortality over these past six
years.
On the positive side, I look
forward to our Spring Fling parish
picnic this weekend. I thank all who organized and helped prepare what was
necessary to help strengthen our parish community.
Over the next weeks I will try to
enjoy the time I have left as your pastor. The priest needs his people and the
people need their priest to act as a spiritual
father. Working together, may we continue to help build the Kingdom of God
and work together for God’s greater glory.
Fr.
Ed Namiotka
Pastor
No comments:
Post a Comment