Confirmations, Dedication & Goodbyes
The month traditionally dedicated to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus brings with it a number of momentous occasions this year. At the 5:00 PM Mass on Saturday, June 10, we’ll be gathering in Hoven with the Bishop to celebrate the sacrament of Confirmation with candidates from both parishes, up to 32 total. The previous evening at 7:00 PM on Friday, June 9, we’ll be observing the 100th Anniversary of the Dedication of the church in Hoven. The date of the original dedication was May 29, 1923. Hopefully, several other priests will be able to attend with the Bishop on a Friday. In September, there will be another Sunday celebration coinciding with St. Anthony Parish Bazaar.
June also brings for a number of our priests another round of packing and moving, saying goodbyes and thank-yous. I know I couldn’t have asked for better parishes for my first assignment as a pastor. I’ll always be thankful to Bishop Swain for sending me here. And now that the landscape of pretty much every pastorate in the diocese is changing so drastically, I’ll remember fondly the days when I could be the pastor of just two parishes and three or four churches.
And I’ll always be grateful to God for the staff, volunteers, council members, families and parishioners who helped and supported countless times, those who had patience with my own limitations and shortcomings, those who choose to forgive and to practice generosity and faith. I know my parents and most of my family are excited to have me closer to home, but there’s a real sadness in saying goodbye to the places I’ve called home for the past four years. We are planning to have a Farewell Potluck in each parish: at 5:00 PM on Sunday, June 25 in Hoven, and at 11:00 AM on July 2 in Bowdle.
Please continue to pray for our Pope, Bishop, and priests, both those who will be moving and especially those staying in the area who will be serving in these parishes. Few things about the future are clear, but one thing is certain: if we remain faithful, Christ Himself will be our Good Shepherd and bring us into green pastures of life everlasting.