Big Changes at Our Church

@BelleStarr (61050)
United States
June 21, 2017 8:45am CST
On Sunday, June 11, 2017 our pastor of the last 7.5 years Fr. Mike said goodbye. He has been transferred to another two parishes about 30 miles away. He was sad but he does have a vow of obedience so really doesn't have a choice when the bishop decides he has to move. Our parish has been yoked with another parish in town and will share their priest. Many people are unhappy about this yoking. The two parishes have little in common and the pastor is from India and many people have trouble understanding him. He is a very nice man and is doing his best to make the transition as easy as possible for both parishes. There is a shortage of priests in the United States and yoking is a solution to the problem. The alternative would be to close parishes. Some diocese have taken that option and some churches have closed in our diocese. Our church is the oldest parish in the diocese having been founded in 1843 and I think that and the fact that we are financially secure has helped keep us open. If you are the praying sort, keep our parish, St John in your prayers as we go through this new phase. Hopefully, all will be fine and the two parishes will both thrive. Pray for Fr. James as well, he has a very big job to undertake. This past Sunday we had a meet and greet pancake breakfast to welcome him and hopefully, he feels welcome. The picture is Fr. Mike
15 people like this
16 responses
@ridingbet (66861)
• Philippines
22 Jun 17
our parish has some changes as well. our parish priest was transferred to another diocese. we have young and handsome priests now, that the ladies and young women swoon upon sight of them. but it is good to know that our young priests are dedicated and faithful ministers, so no way will they be tempted by these women
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61050)
• United States
22 Jun 17
Well the priest that caused all these moves was rather young and handsome and I am rather afraid that a woman was the cause. Hopefully, your priests have more will power.
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@BelleStarr (61050)
• United States
23 Jun 17
@ridingbet It's true, it is satan at work that is for sure. But it looks like married priests may be in the near future which I think will help a lot.
1 person likes this
@ridingbet (66861)
• Philippines
23 Jun 17
@BelleStarr it is wonderful to have newly ordained priests and taking a parish, but the evil lurks in the form of some women who may make moves to attract the priest to sin.
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@just4him (303392)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
21 Jun 17
I will add your parish to my prayer list. I hope everything turns out all right. How is your mother? I've been praying for her as well.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61050)
• United States
21 Jun 17
Thank you so much, she has completely recovered and is off oxygen. She is amazing.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61050)
• United States
23 Jun 17
@just4him Yes you can, she will be 102 on July 4.
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@just4him (303392)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
23 Jun 17
@BelleStarr That's so good to hear. I can put her on the answered prayer list now.
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@BarBaraPrz (45225)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
21 Jun 17
I haven't been to church in my new town yet, so don't know how things are here. But in Hamilton, where I used to live, one big church was closing and merging with another parish that I wasn't familiar with. It was going to close, too, I think, and the parishioners were supposed to go to a new church being built in the south end of the city.
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (45225)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
21 Jun 17
@BelleStarr Oh, good, it posted. I wasn't sure if it would. My computer did the circle dance just after I hit the comment button, so I went outside to work on the flower beds. My exhubby had three Sister Aunts!
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@BelleStarr (61050)
• United States
21 Jun 17
@BarBaraPrz One of my Aunts was a Franciscan too. My cousin the priest had several cousins and uncles on his father's side that were priests.
@BelleStarr (61050)
• United States
21 Jun 17
Yes, this is happening everywhere. My cousin is a priest, he was a college professor but on weekends for years, he visited several different parishes saying Mass. The population of priests is aging and even with retirement at 75, we are running out of them fast. Was a time when every Catholic family had a priest but these days, no one wants to make that commitment.
@bluesa (15023)
• Johannesburg, South Africa
21 Jun 17
A change like this is unsettling @BelleStarr . I hope everything will be fine and that both parishes will indeed thrive. I am certain he appreciated the pancake breakfast. :)
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61050)
• United States
21 Jun 17
It gave us a chance to meet him and him a chance to meet us. While eating a delicious breakfast
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@bluesa (15023)
• Johannesburg, South Africa
21 Jun 17
@BelleStarr and that is a win win to my mind :) . I really do hope all will go smoothly.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
21 Jun 17
I'm sure Fr Mike will be sorely missed, and hope everyone welcomes and encourages the new pastor.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61050)
• United States
21 Jun 17
Most people will but some have already left, it is sad when the priest is more important than the message.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
21 Jun 17
@BelleStarr Oh, my. I do agree.
1 person likes this
@Courtlynn (67002)
• United States
21 Jun 17
I hope things work out
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@BelleStarr (61050)
• United States
24 Jun 17
Thank you, we can only hope at this point.
1 person likes this
@Courtlynn (67002)
• United States
24 Jun 17
@popciclecold (35025)
• United States
24 Jun 17
Prayers being sent.
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@BelleStarr (61050)
• United States
24 Jun 17
Thank you and much appreciated.
@Nawsheen (28644)
• Mauritius
22 Jun 17
It takes some times to adapt to changes. I will pray
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61050)
• United States
24 Jun 17
Thank you, we need your prayers.
• United States
21 Jun 17
So instead of keeping him there, they move him to take over 2 parishes? And bring in an Indian priest that people have a hard time understanding.. Oh yes I will keep the parish in prayer..oh my.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61050)
• United States
21 Jun 17
Yes but he was really needed at the two parishes where he was sent, their priest left and never returned which caused this whole change. Thank you for your prayers, yes God does work in mysterious ways. This is my parish and I love it and the other parishioners. If people leave, well there is nothing we can do about that but a church is about the people, not just the priest.
1 person likes this
• United States
21 Jun 17
@BelleStarr Oh yes I know they have to go where they are sent. I hope this new priest can do well though. Yes people make the church and I know you love your church there Belle.
1 person likes this
@simone10 (54192)
• Louisville, Kentucky
22 Jun 17
It really does seem like both parishes are in a predicament. I pray that all works out in the end and everyone is happy.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61050)
• United States
24 Jun 17
It is an adjustment and as we all know, some people are not good with change. I pray that it will end up well for all involved.
• United States
21 Jun 17
some folks jest dislike change 'n i hope that all'll give this new fella a chance. they'll grow accustomed to his way 'f speakin' 'n come to love him 's well.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61050)
• United States
22 Jun 17
That is what I think as well, I am sure that most people will stay but there are always those that follow the pastors around. Sort of church groupies. lol
1 person likes this
@Inlemay (17714)
• South Africa
22 Jun 17
are you snap shooting your Fr. Mike while he is preaching? Sometimes even preachers and fathers and special message bringers need to take a break
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61050)
• United States
22 Jun 17
lol Yes I was, since it was his last Sunday at St.John I wanted a little record to remember the occasion. I used to call him Father What a Waste and he knows it and laughs and says now that he has gray hair I don't think he is a hunk anymore lol By the way, I did send a postcard in an envelope from Vermont last week.
1 person likes this
• United States
21 Jun 17
We had this recently with our parish and it was a hard transition. Hopefully yours will go smoothly and the new pastor will do well serving both churches
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61050)
• United States
22 Jun 17
He seems to have the energy to handle it and the distance between them physically is not even a mile. We will just pray that this works out.
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (116876)
• Anniston, Alabama
21 Jun 17
Its always sad to me when any preacher is moved or quits. I am sure things will work out, I can bet both are very stressed.
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@BelleStarr (61050)
• United States
24 Jun 17
It really was stressful for both of them. I hope their health holds out. I am sure in the end it will work out we just have to get through the rough times.
@Rollo1 (16679)
• Boston, Massachusetts
21 Jun 17
Change is always difficult, and of course, you feel like you lost a friend as well as a spiritual leader. I am sure that one day, Fr. James will be just as beloved as Fr. Mike was.
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@BelleStarr (61050)
• United States
21 Jun 17
In my particular case, Fr. Mike is a personal friend so we will still see him, he is very good friends with my other priest friend so I have known him for 25 years. We are going to try to make this work for Fr James, he has a lot on his plate as does Fr. Mike with 2 parishes. His new rectory is tiny and he didn't even have room to take all his books, our Rectory is a beautiful 1870 building.
@amadeo (111956)
• United States
21 Jun 17
good luck with new one.Great idea on the breakfast
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@BelleStarr (61050)
• United States
24 Jun 17
We have these pancake breakfasts every few months and they are very popular. My son in law John makes the scrambled eggs and he is a good cook/