THE GOODNESS OF OUR FATHER
“How much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?” –Lk. 11:13
Jesus teaches by word and example to ask for what we truly need from our Heavenly Father. Over and again, He reminds us that we can be confident in the goodness of our Father and that if we ask in faith, we will receive. This deep spir itual truth was recently brought home to me when I was going about the utterly ordinary activity of opening my mail. (I don’t think I am alone in not ing the special delight in physical mail! Snail mail is just more real, tan gible, impactful than e-mail. I certainly appreciate when you send let ters and cards).
Why was opening my mail about a month ago an experience of the Father’s Goodness you ask? Because in mid-June I received a formal response to a request that I had made last fall to Archbishop. I sup pose this highlights that sometimes we need patience and trust when we wait for a response to the petitions we make!
The letter of which I speak was an approval of a request for sabbati cal. In the letter, the Archbishop expressed his nearness with a true father’s generous heart, “I am pleased to grant permission for your request…I am confident that you will find this to be energizing for your priestly life.” Those words were deeply reassuring that God’s plan is always for our welfare and good, and not for our woe. Our needs are known by God, even if at times we wonder. He cares for us, even when we don’t understand exactly what He is doing.
In our Archdiocese, priests are eligible to request a sabbatical every seven years of priestly service. Not every priest chooses to request the opportunity to step away from their assignment for a time, but it is becoming more commonplace. For example, a classmate of mine took a sabbatical in Poland this past year. I am thrilled to share that my sab batical proposal was to spend about six months in Rome, beginning in early January 2026. Even with so much happening in the parish and personal life, I have deep peace as I anticipate the time away in rest, prayer, study and personal renewal. The core meaning of sabbatical is rest, as in sabbath. Of course, I am delighted to return to Rome, a city that was my home for over five years. As it approaches, I will share more detail about my plans.
Many of you reached out to offer words of encouragement since I an nounced that I had been reappointed for a new six-year term as pas tor. I know the announcement of an impending sabbatical may now seem like a bit of a twist. And yet, the longer I have served in this par ish, the more I love it and the more I have learned that our mission is so much bigger than me.
God always provides. Archbishop Hebda has already appointed Fr. John Rumpza to serve as Parochial Administrator while I am away to keep a steady hand on the rudder. I am excited for the unique gifts that he will bring into this role and am sure that it will be a formative season for his priesthood as well. In addition to Fr. John and Fr. Miro, we will have some visiting priestly support. I am working with parish staff and other lay leadership to make sure that we don’t lose momen tum on many important initiatives unfolding in the parish. I am confi dent that the Lord has many wonderful things in store for our parish; we just must ask Him!
Glory to God!
~Fr. Howe, Pastor