"There's a sad sort of clanging from the clock in the hall, and the bells in the steeple too and up in the nursery an absurd little bird is popping out to say, "Cuckoo" ,Cuckoo, Cuckoo Regretfully they tell us, cuckoo, cuckoo, but firmly they compel us to say, "Goodbye", to you"
This is from the from the "Sound of Music" which I am very fond of. My time has come to say good bye. To all of the parishioners of St Francis Xavier, St. Peter-On-The-Thames and the Shrine I want to thank you deeply for letting me into yours lives and hearts. One of the great privileges of being a priest is being allowed to accompany the people the Lord has placed in his life. In the good times and in the sorrowful you have graced me by making me feel a part of your lives and families; there is no greater joy. Time has flown by and we together have accomplished much - you have much to be proud of.
In the coming months you will set out together on a new path of building a Family of Parishes. Fr. Mukucha Kathemo will become your new Pastor on July 5th with the aid and support of Fr Tery Runstedler your new associate pastor. I pray and wish for them every success! From January 1st till July 4th Fr Mukucha will be the administrator and Jamie Soulliere will be the go-to person for daily decisions etc. Fr Tom Donohue, a retired priest of the Diocese of London will celebrate with you the weekend Masses and funerals ( I thank him for his generosity ). The two weekday Masses will be celebrated by either Fr Tery or Fr. Mukucha ( when you are not in lockdown). Webcasts of the Sunday Mass will continue.
"So long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, goodbye
I leave and heave a sigh and say "Goodbye", goodbye"
I do feel sad in leaving though I am looking forward to my sabbatical. Tilbury has become home for me over these past 3 1/2 years. Fr Jack welcomed me and was a delight to live with. He's a very wise man and a good counsel. To the parish staff that I have worked with, thank you for allowing me to minister with you !
To all of the lay leaders in the parish whether that be the Lectors, Eucharist Ministers, Music Ministers, Ushers, Counters, Sacramental prep teams, decorators, the CWL and both K of C Councils and assembly, the PPC, Finance and Building committees, Social Commitee's, Farm Committee I thank you for your dedication to the Lord in the person of his parishioners. All those who supported the GIFT & SURGE campaign and the countless meetings during construction - thank you for your devotion and support !
There are so many others to thank and I will do so in June or July when I come back for a final Mass with you. Please be assured of my continued prayers !
I leave with a sense of gratitude to God and ask that if I have offended any that they in their charity forgive me.
"So long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, goodbye Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye Goodbye"