One of the hardest things to do is say goodbye. We often find ourselves lingering on at front doors, on lawns, outside of cars as we take leave of those we have been visiting. It is almost as if, within our DNA, we have an aversion to moving away from relationship. This Friday letter has been on my mind for many weeks as I have lingered at our parish saying goodbye to many people and taking leave of a community that has become a home. But now it is time.

This past week I have been packing in earnest and going through the many things that we have shared together. It has been hard. I see pictures of Baptisms, Confirmations and First Holy Communions. I have photos of weddings and holy cards for the funerals we have celebrated. I have rediscovered so many of the blessings that we have shared that were forgotten and now remembered in the rush of daily ministry. I have shed tears and laughed at the memories formed and blessed in our relationship as disciples of our Lord Jesus.

And now it is time. Yesterday I put away my small prayer chapel. I lovingly wrapped my icons, carefully placed the statues and crosses in bubble wrap and packed up the prayer books and cards to be reopened and replaced when I move into my rooms at St. Lucy. This morning when I sat in the chair in which I have prayed for many hours there was only a simple crucifix on the wall. This was a clear and wonderful reminder of true blessing of who we are as sons and daughters of the living God. As St. Paul reminds us again and again, “For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.“ (1 Cor 2:2)

If we do this, then once more from St. Paul, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?” (Rom 8:35)

It is time. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers and acts of kindness throughout the past six years. Your blessings are a gift beyond all measure.

Thank you and God Bless

Fr. Mark

It has been a busy few days for our Holy Father Francis. He has given us an Encyclical: Laudato Si: Care For Our Common Home. I don’t want to say bad things about the popular media but…don’t believe everything that you hear. The Encyclical released early yesterday (8/18/15) is a complex and theologically rich reflection on the command God has given to us to be good stewards of his creation. It is important to note that while no other Pope has written an Encyclical many others have written about the need to care for our environment and especially the care and blessings we need for our brothers and sisters. I have only read the first few pages and look forward to a summer of discovering the deeper meaning of our call to care for the world through the love God calls us to share through Jesus Christ. Fr. Robert Barron from Word on Fire ministry has produced a wonderful video (https://laudatosi.com) I would invite you to watch to begin our prayerful knowing of this important teaching of our faith. Or you can read our Bishop Patrick’s statement (www.dsj.org/blog/bishop-patrick-j-mcgraths-statement-on-papal-encyclical-on-the-environment/)

In a second thought for the day, I have just 11 short days remaining in my tenure as your pastor at St. Catherine of Alexandria parish. Last Sunday we celebrated a wonderful gift of thanksgiving in which many members of the parish came to share a moment of blessing with Fr. Andrey and I in the love of God. It is the coming and going that is often the hardest, the saying hello and goodbye that is heartbreaking. One parishioner (thank you Terri) shared a list of what she knew to be the blessing you and I as a parish community have shared in our growing faith and love of Jesus the Christ. It was truly awesome to hear how much we have accomplished and how much more the parish is and will be doing to build a Catholic culture in the South County. I am always humbled by the willingness of so many members of St. Catherine who joyfully step forward and share their gifts of time talent and treasure to care for and be stewards of God’s blessings.

Thank you.

God bless

Fr. Mark