Parish Life and Changes

Our parish is going through a difficult time.

We are in a large parish. 10,000 people, 3.000 families. Our pastor, Fr. Fran is around 60 and has been in uncertian health for the 9 years he has been here. He is a very sweet man, his heart is with the pastoring role, but I get the feeling he has spent the bulk of his time trying to administer this large parish.

We have one other priest, who is frail and in his late 70's. Fr. Creagan He took a leave for a few months last year due to health issues. He is how I imagine a Jesuit...old world, formal, an artist and avid reader. He established our parish library, which I have enjoyed a lot.

Well, now the Jesuits are having to pull out of all pastoral work, due to lack of priests. Their population has decreased significantly and the average age is rising. As they do many things: teaching, retreats, etc, they had to eliminate some work.- and the parish work was targeted.
So, now we will roll under the Arch Diocese of Galveston0Houston.

The good news is this: we have a new archbishop, Daniel DiNardo. Our family went to a benefit dinner for vocations a few months back and he spoke. He was wonderful. His reputation is orthodox. He is very charismatic, too. (in speaking ability, not necessarily spiritually) My dh was very excited to hear him speak on the Eucharist. He mentioned how priests are there to perform this sacrament with reverence, they are not to be "Johnny Carsons". After my dh saw Richard Rohr's personal expressions during a downright sacrilegious version of the consecration at St. Thomas University a few years back, this is new hope that our bishop will lead us to higher ground.

The Arch bishop also talked about all the issues that face our diocese. Immigration, care for the evacuees of La, all the other social issues. He said there is an answer for it all- the Eucharist. If we focus on that, then the other things will fall into place. He said it much better than I.

Archbishop DiNardo has chosen a new priest for our parish, and both will be at a goodbye mass and picnic for the Jesuits next Sunday at our parish. It just feels like his hand is helping us along, and it is nice feeling.

I have also heard our new pastor. Fr. Norbert is youngish, orthodox and dynamic. Something our parish can use! We are big. We have been liberal. We have money. There is so much potential in our parish. To me, it feels like a large iceberg..drifting... I hear there is a lot of politics in the office. How does a pastor lead such a monolith spiritually? So much has to be put in the hands of the staff.. And thank God for the staff.. but if decisions are put in the lay hands, then what keeps the parish on course spiritually?

It is a large job. I know Fr. F ran had his hands full. Well, it is showing now in his need to depart early. He reigned and left our parish last week with no goodbyes save a letter that was read at Mass. This happened just days before our special goodbye Mass and picnic. He cited health reasons. We are hoping he will be back for the last Mass, but all indications are that he will not be.

Please keep him in your prayers. I feel it is a good thing he left early, as a toll was really taken on him and his health was declining. We could see it in his face after we talked to him after Mass a couple of weeks ago. He looked very worn down.

Fr. Fran is a dear man, who helped my family in many ways over the past 8 years. He wanted to pastor, and always made time for us when we needed him though it was apparant more often than not his asthma and other maladies were taking their toll. I am planning a letter to write him. One that describes all he has done to touch our family over the years.

Both Fr. Fran and Fr. Creagan were not ready to leave. I think about their vow of obedience and pray that they hear the Holy Spirit and find the peace in following his lead.

More later as our new priest, Father Norbert steps into our lives. We are also praying that he has another priest or two to help him.

God's will be done.. He has a plan.