Well, let me begin by saying thank you. This will be my last Friday letter as the pastor of St. Lucy Parish. I would ask that you indulge me in two ways. One, I will not be talking about St. Joseph and two, I will be a little briefer than I normally am in my Friday writings.
In the second reading at this coming Sunday Mass, St. Paul in the Second Letter to the Corinthians reminds them, as he reminds us today, of the surplus of blessing we are called to bestow upon each other and how “your abundance at the present time should supply their needs, so that their abundance may also supply your needs.” (2 Cor 8:14) It is this interchange of blessing that brings about hope.
As I prepare myself for next Wednesday where at midnight I will cease to be the pastor of St. Lucy Parish and become the pastor at St. Lawrence the Martyr parish I know the abundance of prayers and blessings will following me up the road to Santa Clara will sustain me in my needs. There will be times of sorrow, confusion, frustration with doubt and fear as I step into these new responsibilities. My faith tells me I am not alone. Rather I am surrounded by the prayers and abundant blessings of the communion of saints on heaven and on earth. It is here that I find my peace. In each of my moves, no matter how difficult they seemed and heavy my heart was, I discovered joy and the movement of holiness in the reminder and the reality of your prayers and blessings. It is the wonder of being sent forth in blessing and received in blessing.
What is going to happen now? I know this question is one we all are asking and feeling. A lot of the answer is contained in our working with God in continuing the good and holy work as a parish community. Because just as I am being sent forth and welcomed in blessing, Fr. Ernesto who is leaving St. Lawrence to become pastor of the Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph has a similar heavy heart infused with the hope and faith in God’s goodness and love at his new parish. And this is what Fr. Rick as he moves down the hill from St. Mary Parish in Los Gatos to our beloved parish of St. Lucy, to be sent in blessing and received in blessing.
When I arrived six years ago it was confusing and difficult and yet the warm welcome and the joyful spirit of St. Lucy comforted my soul.
Once more, I wish to say…thank you and may God bless you and our little part of His kingdom at St. Lucy Parish in Campbell CA.
God Bless
Fr. Mark.
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Jean Ebner Rickard June 26, 2021
Top of the day to you Father Mark,
It seems a difficult thing to do every 6 years or so. We hope all things go smoothly. I imagine if you invited all to come for pizza and beer it would be off to a good start in the new area.
People need to learn to relax, don’t they? Oh, specify they bring their own beer and pizza! But the conversation will be casual and any dull moments can be covered with a slice of that pie and a sip! They are going to enjoy your stories (and homilies) if you smile and smile and smile. One smile brings on smiles in those around. We will continue to pray for you in your trip along your chosen path. Rick and Jean sipping along the Abiqua Creek in beautiful Oregon.
marnzen@dsj.org June 29, 2021
Thanks jean, It is hard but God is good