September 23, 2018
Dear parishioners of St. Frances de Chantal,
I wish to thank you so much a beautiful friendship for the past four years of serving you as a priest. Thank you for your love, care, your beautiful and kind words of encouragement, your generosity, kindness and prayers for me. I really appreciate it. Leaving St. Frances for a different parish brings me a mixed feeling. I am happy and sad: happy for knowing and working with you, and sad for having to say goodbye, especially to the many children of the parish who I am so fond of. I am missing you already, but I still have to go because such is the nature of our work - the Gospel must be preached elsewhere too. Please keep me in your prayers and be assured of mine for you.
Here is the address of my new parish: Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, 90 Third Street, Staten Island, NY 10306. Phone: 718 351 1093.
23 de Septiember del 2018
Queridos parroquianos de St. Frances de Chantal,
Deseo agradecerle tanto una hermosa amistad durante los últimos cuatro años de servirlo como sacerdote. Gracias por su amor, cuidado, sus bellas y amables palabras de aliento, su generosidad, amabilidad y oraciones por mí. Realmente lo aprecio. Dejar a St. Frances por una parroquia diferente me da un sentimiento mixto. Estoy feliz y triste: feliz de saber y trabajar con usted, y triste por tener que decir adiós, especialmente a los muchos niños de la parroquia a los que estoy tan encariñado. Ya te estoy echando de menos, pero todavía tengo que irme porque tal es la naturaleza de nuestro trabajo: el Evangelio debe ser predicado en otros lugares también. Por favor, consérvame en tus oraciones y ten la seguridad de la mía por ti.
Aquí está la dirección de mi nueva parroquia: Iglesia Nuestra Señora Reina de la Paz, 90 Third Street, Staten Island, NY 10306. Teléfono: 718 351 1093.
September 8, 2018
Dear Parishioners,
I know by now many of you have hear the rumor that I will be leaving St. Frances. I wish to formerly confirm that it is true. As some of you may know, associate priests or parochial vicars are often transferred more than pastors to help them build experience before they are appointed pastors; the archdiocese is helping me in that regard. My official assignment at the new parish, Our Lady Queen of Peace in Staten Island begins October 1, and I will be leaving St. Frances on Friday, September 28.
I wish to thank you greatly, our wonderful parishioners for a beautiful pastoral ministry I have had with you, and the amazing support you gave me as temporary administrator of the parish. I am more than grateful to Msgr. Graham and Fr. Dennis for a wonderful working relationship and for making a happy rectory. To our parish staff, the school faculty, all our religious communities and parish societies, I say thank you for your love. I know you will enjoy Fr. Robert Mensah’s friendship as well. I am leaving but I know that St. Frances is my home.