As I write this, the weather report calls for a wintry mix tonight! Winter in April?? I am reassured, though, that there will be Spring as I witness the crocuses in the yard already in bloom The blooms remind me that we just have to hold on a few more days or, maybe, week through this transition to Spring. Sister Jolene’s words in the last bulletin were a bit jarring (like a wintry mix in April) as she reminded us that she is looking forward to retiring. I know it’s very hard to think of Fr. Singer and Sr. Jolene not being the leaders of Nativity. They have been like the parents, the grandparents, the aunt and uncle, brother and sister, friend and spiritual leader to all those who have walked through the doors of Nativity. In many ways they have been the heart of this parish and I see how deeply they are loved. It’s amazing to see how everyone jumps up to help if Sr. Jolene asks for anything. It’s truly a sign of the special relationship that has grown over all these years. So do we try to keep Sr. Jolene on as long as possible because we’re afraid of what the transition might mean? That really doesn’t seem fair to one we have loved. Or do we step up as adults, strengthened by our faith and inspired by their lives, and do something beautiful for God in this moment of Nativity’s history. I would like to be part of the group that opts for the latter.
My thought is to come together (all of us) and spend a retreat day together. I’d like it to be a time when we can pray and grieve for what has been and find reason for hope and excitement of what could be. Whether we like it or not, life is changing at Nativity. We can either enter this new chapter with hope and faith or we can go through the motions as if nothing has changed. If we just go through the motions, we will become like a small family, meeting each weekend, and wondering who will be the last one to turn out the lights and lock the doors of Nativity. I suspect I should have done this much earlier but I, too, was overwhelmed by this responsibility and depended a lot on Sr. Jolene. So will you give up one Saturday to be with you parish family? Transitions are not easy but when done as a family, they can be tremendous moments of grace.
Please let me know that you are willing to give up a Saturday to do this. I have to find someone to lead this and a place to come together but I need to know you are in this with me. Let’s do this!!
P.S. As I’m writing this, my fear is that someone might think I have a hidden agenda (like merging the parishes or just closing Nativity). Please know I will always be honest with you and I have NO intention of merging or closing anything (nor have I received any word from the Archdiocese about anything). My dream is that we have TWO vibrant parishes on the east side of Detroit.
My thought is to come together (all of us) and spend a retreat day together. I’d like it to be a time when we can pray and grieve for what has been and find reason for hope and excitement of what could be. Whether we like it or not, life is changing at Nativity. We can either enter this new chapter with hope and faith or we can go through the motions as if nothing has changed. If we just go through the motions, we will become like a small family, meeting each weekend, and wondering who will be the last one to turn out the lights and lock the doors of Nativity. I suspect I should have done this much earlier but I, too, was overwhelmed by this responsibility and depended a lot on Sr. Jolene. So will you give up one Saturday to be with you parish family? Transitions are not easy but when done as a family, they can be tremendous moments of grace.
Please let me know that you are willing to give up a Saturday to do this. I have to find someone to lead this and a place to come together but I need to know you are in this with me. Let’s do this!!
P.S. As I’m writing this, my fear is that someone might think I have a hidden agenda (like merging the parishes or just closing Nativity). Please know I will always be honest with you and I have NO intention of merging or closing anything (nor have I received any word from the Archdiocese about anything). My dream is that we have TWO vibrant parishes on the east side of Detroit.