Dear Church,
Heraclitus once said: “No one ever steps in the same river twice, for its not the same river and he is not the same man.” What he meant was everything is constantly changing. Life is always changing and everything, whether good or bad, will eventually come to an end. As we age, our body changes. We have health problems, emotional problems and spiritual problems. Nothing in this life remains the same; only God is unchanging and constant in His love, at all times.
The same is true in the parish, from time to time, a new pastor or associate pastor is appointed and the parish adapts to a new spiritual leader of the community. Eight years ago,we were fortunate to re-ceive Father Frank Campo as Associate Pastor of this great Catholic Community of St. Patrick Parish. He fell in love with this parish immediately because of the supportive, generous, dedicated, and com-mitted parishioners who embraced him from the start. In fact, Father Frank told me he could see from the start that you are all strong in faith and in your desire to serve God and one another.
Although it was a somewhat challenging start with the mortgage, major repairs to be completed, and the Parish School we worked together to move our parish forward. We developed a five year plan. We helped each other move our parish to-wards a better financial health. We enhanced our celebration of the Eucharist so that it would become the real source and summit of our spiritual lives. Because of that, we have become an even stronger community. We laughed and cried togeth-er. We shared our aches and joys together. And we lived as brothers serving our Parish, our community and our God. For all of that I am most grateful.
As Father Frank ends his tenure here at St. Patrick Parish, I’d like to ask that you remember all the times, both good and challenging, that we as a parish shared together. I know that Father Frank will keep us close to his heart in prayer, and I ask that you pray for Father as well as he embarks on a new course in life in his retirement .
Finally, I want to thank all of you for your love, prayers, and support you have shown to Father Frank over the last eight years. I know it is hard for Father to leave us but as I said in the beginning of this farewell note, change is inevitable and all of us have to adjust to it. Just remember what Father Frank used to say over and over : “God loves all of us and that will never change.”
Thank you Father Frank for being a part of our family and we wish you all the best as you go forward from here !!!!!