Thank You…Goodbye….. Until We Meet Again
Fr. Neil and Aya arrived on Thursday. While Fr. Neil is very familiar with the Rectory, Church and community, Aya is still not sure – whether they are staying or going back to Nelson. Friday morning, someone came to the door and Aya found an opportunity- to escape. She ran to the parking lot. Poor Carla had to do a morning exercise chasing Aya. Anyways, she’s back to the Rectory, safe and sound. I’m not sure this is part of Carla’s job description, but she brought Aya back with love 🙂
Dear Sisters and Brothers, this Saturday (July 15) will be my last Mass here in our beloved Penticton. In fact, Fr. Neil will be the Chief Celebrant while I’ll be his shadow. I just want to thank everyone for the most beautiful 4 years we have had together.
We have experienced God’s love and have shared that love with each other as we journey together.
Part of my mandate was to join the parishes in fostering unity and love between the two parishes: to work together to build a lasting bond between our parishes. Indeed, the image I had was to see our two parishes as sisters with the school as the baby while Sacred Heart Mission is the mother. We have worked together to build, to bond and to love. Our work is not done yet. May we continue to build.
The other mandate that was given to me was to help in revitalizing St. John Vianney Parish. It was not the work of the Pastor alone but the work of the whole people of God. Thanks to the Holy Spirit for the inspiration He gave us. We moved from having only Sunday Mass to having weekday Masses, Adoration, funerals, baptisms, weddings, Christmas Carols and Festivals, Community events and of course parties. St. John Vianney Church has truly come alive. Thanks to each parishioner for your time, treasure and talent which made it possible. COVID did not deter us. Both parishes joined together to renovate the inside of the Church. That was one of my greatest joys – seeing St. Ann’s parishioners come over to St. John’s to help. For me it was a great expression of the truth that we are family. Our Church and Hall look brand new now. We cannot thank enough our visible Church committee for all that they did to see this happen. Countless hours of sacrifice. Now, we are focusing on the exterior of our Church.
At St. Ann’s, we embarked on the renovation of the Sanctuary and the interior. I’m so thankful to the Interior Decoration Committee that worked months and months to see that our work is completed.
While we have focused on our Eucharistic Celebration as the source and summit of our lives, we know that the Holy Mass never really ends as we continue the work of God in the community. To that end, our parishes have been involved with the ministry of social Justice in our community. We continue to support Discovery House. Last year, we also welcomed two Ukrainian families who now live in our house at 200 Bennett. I was a stranger and you welcomed me. (Matthew 25) The house was rented to them at a subsidized rate. And so is the Discovery House. We have also offered a part-time job to them as Custodians at St. Ann’s.
With your generosity and the grace of God, both parishes are in good financial standing.
This is where we are today:
| This is how we began | This is where we are at after the first quarter of 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| St. Ann’s | $173,842.08 | $595,630.91 |
| St. John Vianney | $36,554.88 | $155,723.32 |
This year, we need to change three A/C units at St. Ann’s. The cost will be substantial. The money we have saved will be used for the rainy day. So I encourage you to continue to be generous so that the work of God will keep flourishing. We had hoped to renew our Pilgrimage of Faith Campaign in the fall. I hope we will continue to work hard to reach our goals this year.
Our work as the Catholic Parishes of Penticton has borne fruit. We have grown spiritually as many testimonies show. Our temporal goods are also in good condition. Thanks be to God. May we never forget the poor and the stranger.
All the work we have done would not have been possible without you, my dear friends. I would like to thank our parish staff: Melinda Edis, Carla Deschamps and Julie Pellizzari. Thank you for your tireless work in keeping the parish going. Over these past four years, with more activities in the parish, it was necessary to hire someone else to help Melinda. We are grateful to Carla for the gift she’s been to us in the office. Julie also came in as a volunteer and she’s been great. I also want to thank Dianna Gin who has been our Religious Education Coordinator. I describe her as indefatigable. She’s given her all. Dianna is retiring from this position this summer. We wish her well and ask for God’s blessings on her and her family. A celebration will be organized in the fall to appreciate her. Carla Deschamps will be our new Religious Education Coordinator as well as our Children’s Liturgy Coordinator. Thank you, Carla. We are grateful to our Custodians: Elmer Villar (St. John Vianney) and Kathy Hughes, Iryna Oliinyk, Liubov Reiko, & Nadiia Synytsia (St. Ann’s).
I’m thankful to our Youth Leaders Trevor Buller & Carlos Ferrigno for the amazing work they have done in a short time.
I would like to thank Fr. Harry Clarke and Deacons Peter d’Aoust and Dale Webster for the support they’ve offered me in pastoral ministry.
Everyone in our parish matters, the different ministries you do matter. From my heart, I would like to express my appreciation to: the Greeters, the Sacristans, Alter Linens Angels, the Altar Servers, the Musicians, the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Hospital and Home Visitation Team, the RCIA Team, the Lectors, the Flower Angels, Money Counters, The Gardeners, the Ushers, the Catechists, the Funeral Reception Team.
Though COVID is over, I will be remiss if I don’t thank the men and women who worked closely with me for almost two years, making decisions to ensure that the faith life of our parishes continued. Thank you Nolan, Vince and Bernadette, Tug and Sylvia, Lorne and Maria. Please pardon me if I have forgotten anyone. God knows and sees you and the work you do. My deep gratitude goes to the different groups in our parishes: St. Vincent de Paul, the Knights of Columbus of both councils, the Catholic Women’s League, Shekinah Prayer Group, the Rosary Group, the Exodus Men, Liturgy Group, Visible Church Committee and finally our brother Marcel who is in a category all by himself. Thank you, Marcel for opening the Church, for your selfless service, for your exuberance and joy. The love of Christ urges us on. Though we say goodbye which is not easy, in Jesus we remain united.
Appreciation goes to the Finance Committee for your dedication and for advising me on financial matters. To our former and current Parish Pastoral Council Members and Holy Cross School Staff, thank you.
I leave you in the good hands of our new Pastor, Fr. Neil Lustado who is a wonderful Pastor. Please pray for him. Pray for me, too. Be assured of my prayers for you and your family.
I love you all.
Fr. Neil and I look forward to receiving your blessings at the Welcome/Farewell celebration on Saturday, July 15 at St. Ann’s at 6.30pm. We will give our own heartfelt blessings to you during the gathering.
May we remain always in God’s love and grace, until we meet again.
Your brother, Fr. Obi