I don’t even have the words to express my gratitude to you for how ridiculously generous you were with me in the Christmas season. I am so grateful for the outpouring of love…the encouraging notes, the gifts and the marvelous food. It really touched my heart and I am grateful.
Not only that, but Marius had his best Christmas ever, thanks to you all! I gotta tell you, I’ve often adopted older dogs like Marius who have had a rough life. I usually only get these dogs for a few years and my goal is always to make sure their last few years are good ones. Of all the dogs I’ve had, Marius had the roughest start and because of you, his last years are good. I think of Pope Benedict pointing out that since animals only have this life on earth, it is our duty to make sure their life here is good.
I have some good news to share with both of my parish families. Shortly after I arrived, I contacted the diocese and asked for a list of priests who would be retiring in 2019. We have the wonderful rectory at St. Mark and my thinking was that we could offer it to a good priest who needed a community.
After a little process, Deacon Ron and I worked out an arrangement with Fr. David Howell, who is currently serving as Pastor at St. Mary Magdalene in Brighton, MI. Sometime in July, he will move into the rectory at St. Mark and become a part of the community there. I cannot tell you how happy I am to have such a holy and kind priest moving here with us …praise God.
Speaking of priests, Fr. Bill has his car back and will begin serving as a Chaplain in our area for nursing home, hospitals and the like, as well as serving the poor in the Flint area. We will see him less here, but he is still a part of our parish families.
So, there we are. I’m very grateful to God for you and very excited for our future. One of you gave me a wonderful plaque that reads “The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy” and I share this with you and invite you to claim this truth in the name of Christ.
May God fill our hearts with joy in this coming year!
fjk
