SOME REFLECTIONS ON THE PAST SIX MONTHS

Coming off Father's Day seems like a fitting moment to mark the end of my role as Parochial Administrator, which began January 1 and concludes this week. From the very beginning, there was a persistent interior question: "God, are you actually going to take care of your people here, even though I am so new to this role?"

I stand to bear witness that our Heavenly Father has indeed provided, in many, many ways. For starters, not a single building on any of our campuses burned down!!

A few highlights worth naming:

We prayed through a wonderful 40 Hours weekend. The fish fries made a triumphant return, with all-time record numbers in the first week! Many commented on a spiritually powerful Holy Week and Triduum, where we welcomed 8 new members into the fullness of the Church. Easter was glorious, with a profound gratitude to Dr Sam Backman and our amazing musicians and volunteers. A 9th new member entered the Church a few weeks later, and new parishioners continue to stream in.

I was astounded to experience God’s grace for us at every step. For every funeral and baptism, every Confirmation and First Communion, the many blessed hours in the confessional each week, the family crises and parish celebrations - God unfailingly came through for this parish, again and again.

I personally received many unexpected graces. Just to name a few were the well-timed words of encouragement in harder weeks, the impromptu conversations after Mass that reminded me the Church is truly a family, and the moments in daily prayer when God showed up with exactly the presence and direction I needed to move things forward.

What a wonderfully full and blessed six months - full of so many challenges, yet so full of joys.

What is most on my heart is the way you embraced me as your temporary shepherd, and the many ways you have already begun stepping up to serve this community during the transition. We gained new lectors and servers, new sacristans and extraordinary ministers, new homebound visitors, committee members, choir members, advisors, and office helpers. So many of you saw a gap and responded to fill it. To me, that is one of the clearest signs of a healthy parish, and a very encouraging beginning of what I believe this community is capable of.

God's timing never fails. Fr. Howe returns with full spirits to lead us into a new season, one of important decisions about our campuses, our neighborhood, and our future. Along with that is the capital campaign which kicks off in January, where we will discern together where God is leading this parish. Not a small undertaking, and one that will surely ask something new of all of us. Yet what I have already witnessed tells me this community has the dedication and spirit to keep rising to the occasion.

I am personally grateful to each of you for your goodness and generosity to me. I want to thank in a particular way Fr. Miroslaw, who stepped up in so many ways during these months as a seasoned brother priest, as well as our astoundingly exceptional staff and all who ministered in needed support roles. It has been a tremendous honor to serve you all.

I look forward to continuing that service as we welcome back our beloved pastor, Fr. Howe, and I return to him a community that has every reason to embrace with joy the hard work and its rewards that lie ahead.

Our Father loves us and He always provides.

In the Heart of Jesus,
~Fr John Rumpza, Parochial Administrator