Search
-
December 5, 2023
Dear Parish Family,
As we begin this Season of Advent, we know that it is a time of renewal as we anticipate the coming of the Lord in His birth and life among us. We await in much anticipation how the Lord will help recreate our Catholic community in Olean and Allegany as we join in the Renewal to become one of the family of families throughout the Diocese as the Basilica, St. John’s and St. Bonaventure become linked together. Over a lengthy period of time, we have long anticipated how this linkage would be determined and when it would be revealed. As your Pastor, I had made a promise to you at our parish council meetings, several town hall gatherings, and many personal interactions that I would provide you with information as I soon as receive it.
During my recent meetings with the Bishop, we had discussed the current needs across the Diocese and within the Southern Tier and how I can be of assistance and best serve the Lord using my background as a priest, licensed psychologist, school psychologist with experience in spirituality, bereavement, crisis management, working with the most vulnerable and healing. After extensive discernment, it was determined that I would be helping the Diocese to create programming and establish sites of pastoral support throughout the Diocese, including in the Southern Tier. As a result of this discernment, I will be leaving my position as pastor at the Basilica and St. John’s effective January 15, 2024. I will go to do further studies in Spirituality and Healing for a six-month period home-based in Ava, Missouri.
The Bishop and I are in agreement that given the length of time that has occurred since the original announcement of leadership and staffing that prematurely occurred over a year and a half ago and given the gifts of our parishes in the Southern Tier and its current needs, that a whole new beginning is required for our proposed family. Therefore, a new pastor will be named near the time of my departure. No further information was provided as to who this person may be. No disclosure was made about who that person would be nor whether he would be from the Franciscan or Diocesan clergy community.
I have truly been blessed to witness your many gifts. Your gifts have been demonstrated through your caring, your sensitivity, your welcoming ways, your hospitality, and those of prayer and ministry. I have experienced firsthand how many of you give of yourselves in volunteer time, accepting the gifts God has given you and using them to come to the aid of the individual, the parish, or the community. I know that you will welcome the new pastor with open arms and hearts. I ask for your prayers for both of us at this time of transition. Please know of my continued prayers for you as well. I have been truly blessed by the opportunity to be with you for three years.
And now, I have been given the graced opportunity to celebrate the Advent and Christmas Season with you one more time. I know how the Spirit has been upon us and continued to help us grow in life and in the Lord together in various ways. You are truly a beautiful and treasured Christmas gift to me. The Holy Spirit has touched your lives and through your sharing, you have touched and continue to touch mine. As we experience this time together, always keep in mind and in heart, that the gifts you bring forth from our linked parish communities are bonded together as collective gifts given by God and through our bonds of faith strengthen us and make us more powerful to be His witness to the Southern Tier and beyond.
“We are the Houses of Bread (the new Bethlehem of the Basilica and St. John’s) soon to be linked to St. Bonaventure. We are the Living Bread of the Lord to be shared.”
God’s Love and mine,
