Greetings in Christ! I’m typing this one up a few weeks ahead of time, so there won’t be any “current events” or anything like that.
I’m taking this space to honor my favorite holiday this week: Thanksgiving.
I love this holiday and I’m very excited to host it at the rectory, I’ve never been able to do that before because I always lived too far away.
I want to tell you all how very, very grateful I am to God for the honor of being your priest. A few things that stand out to me as a reason for my gratitude:
First, I don’t know if I’ve ever been welcomed so warmly before. It is simply amazing to me how, from the moment I stepped foot on the grounds of Our Parish Families, I felt loved. I know both parishes lost very good priests and I can’t imagine how hard this time of transition is for you all, but so many of you have made sure I know you are glad I am here…I don’t even know what to say except thank you.
Second, I am grateful for the way we get to worship together. My two parish families are very different, but both are filled with faithful, pious Catholics with servant hearts. Bless you!
Third, I am grateful for your generosity. It is a blessing to me how much you sacrifice for your Church and it touches me deeply.
Fourth, I am grateful for how incredibly active these two parishes are: I have never seen anything like it.
You are truly beautiful people and I can’t believe I get to be your priest.
Thank you for your encouragement; thank you for your patience; thank you for the amazing and kind letters you send.
I am blessed to be yours.
fjk