Ashes and Justice

Dear Friends,

In the Book of Ecclesiastes it says "there is a time and place for all things under heaven." Now it is time for me to move from St. Mary's and have a change of status. By the time you receive this last of my NEWSLETTER notes, I will be in residence at St. Anne's Rectory at 130 Boston Turnpike here in Shrewsbury. As Senior Priest I will be able to do pastoral ministry in the parish as well as substitution throughout the diocese for priests who are ill or away. I will also return to my prior work in the Marriage Tribunal of the Diocese and cover for priests at UMass-Memorial Hospital on their day off. I know that our paths will cross many times in the years ahead.

My 13 years in this Parish Community of St. Mary's has been truly exciting. The parish continues to grow in numbers with the steady expansion of the town and our church becomes a place where new families are welcomed and older ones are strengthened in their ministries. There is so much good work done in the name of Jesus Christ. Young and old come together for worship and to enrich their friendship with the Lord. Good times are celebrated and there is a place for everyone. The greatest challenge for future years is EVANGELIZATION. So many become complacent in the practice of faith and there are countless others who go unchurched. As Jesus sent the disciples twenty centuries ago "to baptize in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" so he will commission each one of you in this section of the vineyard to do the same. Open to the Spirit I know you will be fruitful in this challenge

For many years now committees have worked on plans to expand our facilities. I know that Fr. Michael Rose, the new pastor, will move with these ideas and enrich it with his own creative vision. Several parcels of property have been purchased under the goal, approved by the Pastoral Council, to buy contiguous land. Soon hopefully, there will be sufficient land to build an addition to the present structure which will fulfill the needs of the entire parish. Such an addition will provide more room for religious education classes, worship space and an all purpose area for sports and social gatherings. The present plan is the most viable but needs to be streamlined to fit the parish budget. Feasibility studies will have to be done to make such a determination. I know I leave with these exciting goals in mind and I pray that one day they will come to fruition. Good luck.

I have been so fortunate to have had such a dedicated and committed staff both in the rectory as well as in the pastoral ministries. The associate priests were so wonderful to live and they enriched my priesthood and the rectory was such a home. New ministries have been added over these years that have enriched our life. The new Parish Nurse office and the Youth Ministry Department have truly touched many lives. A Kindergarten and Pre-School program have increased the options for so many families in the educational mission of the Church and I know that the Family Program of the Religious Education office has been so well received. So many works accomplished by the Stewardship Committee have given witness to our commitment to social justice, diocesan appeals, financial responsibility, support groups, programs for the poor and homeless, liturgy, Parish Festivals and social gatherings too numerous to mention. God has blessed this parish so abundantly. In the midst of all the activity I have seen faith increased, hope deepened and love celebrated. At Mass it all came together as we gave thanks to God. I am so grateful for these years in your midst.

With a prayer for your peace, good health and prosperity, I say, thank you and goodbye.

FATHER PAUL