Farewell Letter, 2022
Goodbyes This is not an easy letter for me to write. It's not just that "goodbyes" are often difficult. When one has loved and given of oneself, it is saying goodbye to a part of what makes us who we are. I have said "Goodbye" to St. Paul's on two previous times. The first was in 2017 when you were seeking a rector the last time. When you chose him, I said "goodbye" with the full understanding that Mary Pat and I would be back to visit. We had laughed together and prayed together, two activities that I think bind persons together. When Fr. Jim got sick we returned to fill in while he took a leave of absence. Then Covid happened. When he returned, even in the midst of pandemic, Mary Pat and I said "goodbye" again. As is all too recent in our memory, Fr. Jim didn't get well. We accepted the invitation to be a "part-time, interim" priest in charge. We moved to Monroe. Now, under somewhat different circumstances we say it aga