Many Pentecost Thanks

Dear St. Patrick Parishioners and Friends–
Awashed in red this past Sunday, it was beautiful that we were together as a parish to celebrate Pentecost, the culmination of the Easter Season, and our birthday as church!
I have poignant memories from throughout this past Sunday—the Mass and its joyful charge of the Risen Jesus, the hugs from a number of you, the beauty of the music, and our sharing in the Eucharist.  And, of course, the reception afterward with food and togetherness and your “send-off” as I begin retirement.
First of all, together with giving thanks to God for these grace-filled six years with you at St. Patrick’s, I want to thank all of you—and there were a lot!—who put in long hours to make the Pentecost celebration this past Sunday memorable and Spirit-led.
I have to say: St. Patrick folks know how to keep a secret!  Giving me a car for my retirement has been in the works since last November.   Not one parishioner ever said anything to me about a car!  I want to thank all of you who donated to this effort.  During the reception luncheon in the Outreach Center I was sitting at the table with my family.  It was so crowded and packed, someone took my walker so that no one would trip from it.  I couldn’t remember who that person was, or where my walker was stored!  I was confined to my place at the table!  I couldn’t go to the kitchen to thank all the people who were preparing and serving the luncheon.  After a while, Mike Stengel came up to me and asked that I take his hand, so that I could walk outside and see the car that you gave me!  Wow—I’ve never had a car that didn’t need an ignition key to turn the car on!  I had a second “training” for driving the car today.  Again, I deeply thank you for this gift which will provide my transportation for quite a while!
This past Tuesday I moved to Villa Vianney in Cordova.  Besides the many who contributed in diverse ways to the Pentecost celebration, there were so many who put in long hours packing my clothes and books over the past month.  Their help was especially needed because my healing broken hip prevented me from doing much at all.  I was stunned how relatively smooth it all went.  Thank you to all of you who have helped me with the move!
I am at peace with my discernment that this is the time to retire as pastor.  I believe this is God’s will.  I trust that the Holy Spirit will be with all of you and Father Dexter as you craft together a new chapter for St. Pat’s mission.  And, I trust that the Holy Spirit will lead me in this new chapter of my life and ministry.
On Tuesday night, at the supper table of eight priests and Bishop Steib, I asked them for their “advice” as I begin my retirement, since some of them have been at it for a number of years.  I can remember best Bishop Steib’s counsel to me--“Chill out!”  I’ll try to do so, especially in these coming weeks.  I’m tired, and my hip needs to continue its healing, and I need to continue physical therapy until I can walk normally.  So, you can keep asking me if I’m actually “chilling out!”
As I write this in my apartment, over by the window hangs one of the momentos from the Pentecost celebration.  It’s that kite which says it all, “Come Holy Spirit!”The Spirit of the Risen Jesus made Pentecost a marvel that still is in process.  That Holy Spirit will take care of all of us!  We’ll experience the “tug” of the presence of the Risen Jesus—within us and among us!
Be assured of my prayer for all of you, St. Pat’s!

With love,
Father Val