Welcome to Saint Patrick Parish!

Parishioners of St. Patrick Faith Community:

Since December 11, 2007 days have been both joyful and tearful for me as I say “farewell” to you whom I have come to love so much in this humble faith community of St. Patrick. I thank God for the people I have met and worked beside.

What an absolute blessing you have been to me for almost seventeen years (sixteen days shy) and how thankful I am that God touched my heart and gave me the grace, talents and opportunity to bring this community to where it is today…spiritually and financially solvent. For God’s grace, and your trust and confidence, which undoubtedly wavered in the beginning and at times throughout my tenure, I am most grateful.

In the book of the prophet Jeremiah, God speaks wonderful words to us – “I have a plan for you.” And I believe that God has a plan for us, you and me. I believe that there are no accidents in the spiritual life and as I live it is clear to me that God has planned my life.

Those plans are not always clear to us every day as we live, and sometimes we can see no logical sequence in what is happening in our lives, but God’s plan becomes more obvious to us as we look backward and see the numerous interventions of God i.e., February 15, 1992 when I came to you as a marvelous gift of my vocation to Priesthood for the people of St. Patrick. Parish.

He has planned changes in our lives for reasons better known to Him than to us. He plans bright days and sad days. He plans losses and surprises. And so I can see His hand in my life.

It would ease my mind to know that I will always be able to count on you. I likewise pray that God will give the parishioners of St. Patrick the tools necessary to adjust and welcome your new pastor, Father Sparks, in this time of transition, mindful that St. Patrick and St. Alphonsus parishes are equal in the mind and heart of Jesus Christ. I am not exaggerating when I say you are the reason St. Patrick Parish is vibrant and the reason the parish is alive in 2008.

I have been extraordinarily blessed to serve here and to have you by my side. I will never forget you and always keep you in my prayers. I will continue to be available to you who have touched my life and know that I count on your continued love and friendship more than ever before.

In Christ’s Love,

Father Bill

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