A Final Message from Monsignor Jay…
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ:
Seven years and seven weeks ago I wrote my first Pastor’s Perspective at Our Lady of the Fields. At that time, I asked that you pray for me each day and I promised to do the same for you. The power of our prayer has guided and strengthened our parish life and ministry in that time. It is the Lord who has shepherded us through the challenges, transitions, and joys of these years. It is the Lord who will continue to shepherd Our Lady of the Fields as it completes its pastoral planning process. It is the Lord who will lead you through the ministry of Fr. Jack Ward and your pastoral staff into the future.
Our community is a great parish of faith that feeds people’s souls sacramentally and with the beauty and truth of our faith. Over the past years, I have been proud of you as you resisted the tendency to be an enclave community and sought to be a community of missionary disciples whose faith makes a difference in our world. You are a community that feeds, clothes, and comforts countless people within and beyond our parish boundaries. You are a community that lives and shares the hope, the beauty, the joy, and the promise of our faith with all generations. You are a community that witnesses to the dignity of the human person and the sanctity of life through an annual presence at the March for Life but also in generous efforts to provide care and comfort to those who suffer the hardships of poverty, hunger, and homelessness. I have said this many times, but it is important to repeat it here: You are a community that always supports a noble cause. You are a people who know who Jesus is and you bring the power of his mercy and love—the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven—to the face of the earth. You were doing this before I arrived, and I am confident you will continue the good work God has begun in you.
We have had several staff transitions during my time here. Each person blessed our community with their God-given talents and abilities. I hope I have done that, too. I want to especially acknowledge and thank our present staff and lay leaders who in this time of pandemic continue to find ways to serve our community and carry out our mission for the good of all.
Thanks to all of you who continue to make Our Lady of the Fields a vibrant community of missionary faith in Jesus.
I conclude my final pastor’s perspective the way I began my first one by asking your prayers as I begin a new ministry as the Episcopal Vicar of the Eastern Vicariate. Be assured of mine for you.
May God’s Peace be Yours,
Msgr. Jay