This past week, I received my new parish assignment to serve at St. Thomas Aquinas/St. John’s Student Parish in East Lansing, beginning July 1st. When I was first ordained a priest, I can remember other priests telling me that leaving your first parish will be one of the hardest times to say goodbye. Well, I can agree! Holy Family has been a tremendous blessing and I have been spoiled to be here with all of you and with Fr. Jon Perrotta my first year and then Msgr. Jerry these past two years (do not tell him I said that!).
I have seen Jesus work in so many ways over these past three years and I want to thank you all for your faith and deep desire for God, which has been so inspiring for me. Please keep it up! As Msgr. Jerry mentioned in his column, the new priest is Fr. Daniel Westermann, who is one my classmates. Fr. Dan is a great priest who is a good preacher, will do very well with the school, and has a deep love for Christ and the sacraments. He will be a blessing for our parish and I know that God has sent him here with a plan in mind. I spoke with Fr. Dan about the assignment and he is very excited to be coming!
All this being said, I have three more months here at Holy Family before I leave, for which I am very grateful! Please know of my prayers and have a blessed Holy Week.
Fr. Gary