Fr. Bob’s Easter Letter

Dear Parishioners,

“Christ is Risen…He is Truly Risen!”

For our Eastern Rite Catholics and the Orthodox, this is the greeting they offer to each other during the Easter Season. What a wonderful way to greet other believers...to proclaim the Resurrection of Jesus. These are my favorite days of the Church. Easter is such a reminder of the new life Jesus promises. One of the things I love is that the world around us usually proclaims that New Life. Looking around our gardens, we can see crocuses and daffodils springing from the earth. The world that looked so dead is now bursting with the signs of spring life. Even in our Church, the images shrouded in purple have now been revealed in the power of the Resurrection.

I hope these days of celebration don’t pass us by without redefining the meaning of Easter. If we truly believe that the Jesus who died on the Cross was raised on Easter, we must ask ourselves, “What does it mean for our lives?”

Easter is not a celebration of spring or even of chocolate (as much as I love chocolate); it is the promise of Jesus that, even if we die in this life, we have the promise of life to come. But Eternal Life is a gift that must be freely accepted on our part. Being accepted requires us to respond to God. The response is to turn from sin in our lives and embrace God’s vision. It is participating at Mass each week to be nourished by the Real and True Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. It is also living in truth the Gospel, sowing the seeds of the love of Jesus, and living each day knowing how much we ARE loved. It is turning to God in Jesus even when and especially when the world seems to prefer the darkness of sin and death. So that through the faith and power of the Resurrection, we can bring the healing and loving Light of Jesus to our sometimes hurting 

world. A world that longs for that promised peace. Never succumb to the powers of darkness; Jesus has enlightened you…TRUST. Let us reflect and ponder who Jesus is for us and how His presence is lived each day. Be bearers of His message of peace and hope to all you meet. Come to the Table of the Lord!

What a joy it is for me to celebrate Holy Week and Easter with you as your Pastor. I feel so blessed by God for all He has done for me. I want to express my deep gratitude to my staff for all they do to sow the seeds of the Gospel at St. Mary’s. I am also thankful for all those who give so much of themselves and yet, at times, seem to go unnoticed. Your contributions do not go unnoticed. I am so touched by the gifts we share as stewards, and I know it makes this parish the wonderful community it is.

May we never take our gifts and blessings for granted, and may the joy of Easter remain with us long after the flowers have died and the Alleluias fade into the background. We are blessed and redeemed by a God who loves us. What joy that understanding should be for us!

As you know, this is my last weekend in the parish. I leave with deep sadness, but I am hopeful for the future. Serving as your Pastor these past ten years has been an absolute joy and blessing. I have found the people of St. Mary’s to be kind, supportive, and prayerful. What a testament to you all!! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!! As I begin not only caring for but quality time with my parents on this next phase of my life journey and prepare for a sabbatical in Rome, please know I will hold you close in prayer.

I look forward to returning on June 7th and 8th for a farewell Mass. This Mass will be a time for us to come together, share our memories, and bid a fond farewell. I am eager to greet you all again and spend this special time with you.

And I want to especially thank the wonderful staff here at St. Mary’s and the various ministries that make up this wonderfully active and complex parish. Those involved in media, faith, formation and teaching, and social ministry. The plant maintenance, operations, office staff, and the many, many volunteers. I am grateful to the priests I live with, Fr. Anthony and Fr. Raf, who made the rectory more than just a place for priests to live but a home. 

As you have heard, Fr. Anthony has been appointed temporary administrator of St. Mary’s. I know he will do, as he does in all things, a wonderful job. A new pastor will be appointed in June, and I ask that you welcome him to his new ministry as you welcomed me.

On behalf of myself, Fr. Anthony, Fr. Raf, the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, and the entire staff here at St. Mary’s, we wish you and your families a very blessed and prayerful Easter.

CHRIST IS RISEN…HE IS TRULY RISEN!

In the Resurrected Jesus and Mary His Mother,

Fr. Bob