As we move from Holy Week and Easter, we realize that Resurrection has just begun. I just finished reading the article in the Free Press yesterday about Msgr. Russ Kohler’s death. Msgr. Kohler was the pastor of Most Holy Trinity since 1991,or for 25 years, and St. Anne’s since 2012. All of us can identify with the parishioners of these two parishes as they suffer the loss of their pastor. But after more than a year since Father Singer began his new life, we are able to focus more on resurrection than loss.
Resurrection means new life and new life means change. Having just come through the beautiful celebrations of Holy Week we are aware there were changes but the changes were rich with meaning and new life. Without change, life can become dull and meaningless. But often we resist change. We do not give it a chance. We prefer to focus on our loss of the past and so lose out on the joy and richness of the new. Hopefully as we celebrate the Easter Season, we can keep this in mind. It is the season of new life. Look for it and enjoy it. It is God’s gift to us and if we fail to look for it we will miss much joy.
As I think about the past week, I came to realize something special. With Anne still in Florida, it left many things for me to take care of. Twenty or thirty years ago that was no challenge but this year I definitely realized that I can no longer do what I did then. As we talk about plans for Nativity’s future, I know there is much we need to do to maintain and grow our parish. Joni has begun some new and exciting things with the children and the sacramental preparation programs. That kind of thing needs to be done with other needs for Nativity to flourish. We need more programs or activities for young families, for our young adults, for our seniors and to continue helping our children and all adults grow in their faith.
I am more and more aware that I do not have the energy to do what needs to be done nor to rally the forces to do it. I realize that it is time for me to retire. Originally I thought I would do this when I turned 75 in 2013, but we all know what has happened since, so it was put on the back burner. But now I believe the time has come. My memory is not what it used to be so I forget what I was going to do as I am on the way to do it. (That was happening for a long time but now it happens much too often.) I run out of energy by noon and mid afternoon when there is still much that needs to be done to complete the day’s work. Even when I do get a good creative thought, I quickly dismiss it because I say, “I can’t do that anymore.” I do not have the stamina need to see it through. Therefore it is my hope that by the end of June we can find a new pastoral minister for Nativity.
My time line is flexible and I am willing to stay round and help the new person until they are comfortable with their job if they want that, but I am also comfortable with moving on immediately. I would like to remain a member of the Nativity parish family so I can continue to enjoy the love and faith we share together, but not to feel the responsibility of making sure everything is take care of all the time. I want to be one of you, doing what I can with gifts I still have, but no longer one in charge. Meantime let’s enjoy the Easter Season and new life that awaits us.
Resurrection means new life and new life means change. Having just come through the beautiful celebrations of Holy Week we are aware there were changes but the changes were rich with meaning and new life. Without change, life can become dull and meaningless. But often we resist change. We do not give it a chance. We prefer to focus on our loss of the past and so lose out on the joy and richness of the new. Hopefully as we celebrate the Easter Season, we can keep this in mind. It is the season of new life. Look for it and enjoy it. It is God’s gift to us and if we fail to look for it we will miss much joy.
As I think about the past week, I came to realize something special. With Anne still in Florida, it left many things for me to take care of. Twenty or thirty years ago that was no challenge but this year I definitely realized that I can no longer do what I did then. As we talk about plans for Nativity’s future, I know there is much we need to do to maintain and grow our parish. Joni has begun some new and exciting things with the children and the sacramental preparation programs. That kind of thing needs to be done with other needs for Nativity to flourish. We need more programs or activities for young families, for our young adults, for our seniors and to continue helping our children and all adults grow in their faith.
I am more and more aware that I do not have the energy to do what needs to be done nor to rally the forces to do it. I realize that it is time for me to retire. Originally I thought I would do this when I turned 75 in 2013, but we all know what has happened since, so it was put on the back burner. But now I believe the time has come. My memory is not what it used to be so I forget what I was going to do as I am on the way to do it. (That was happening for a long time but now it happens much too often.) I run out of energy by noon and mid afternoon when there is still much that needs to be done to complete the day’s work. Even when I do get a good creative thought, I quickly dismiss it because I say, “I can’t do that anymore.” I do not have the stamina need to see it through. Therefore it is my hope that by the end of June we can find a new pastoral minister for Nativity.
My time line is flexible and I am willing to stay round and help the new person until they are comfortable with their job if they want that, but I am also comfortable with moving on immediately. I would like to remain a member of the Nativity parish family so I can continue to enjoy the love and faith we share together, but not to feel the responsibility of making sure everything is take care of all the time. I want to be one of you, doing what I can with gifts I still have, but no longer one in charge. Meantime let’s enjoy the Easter Season and new life that awaits us.