Recently when my brother Fr. John Foley and I were interviewed for an article for the Catholic Free Press on our shared retirement, https://digital.catholicfreepress.org/ /1/ , Bill Doyle, the reporter asked what we would say in our parting words to our parishes. Without hesitation we both said “Thank you”.
People often have no idea how the life of a parish priest is enriched and transformed everyday by the people we serve. Recognizing and engaging the presence of God in our lives is an intimate and profound adventure. As a parish priest I am so often in awe at the courage, wisdom and holiness that I experience with you. I have come to know God’s love, mercy, forgiveness and generosity more profoundly through being with you. As we share the sacraments (especially the Eucharist) the real presence of God is unleashed on the seemingly ordinary events of our lives.
Now a priest does not retire from all that. He only gets to experience it in a more focused and less hectic way. Contemporary parish life is very demanding and often very complex. Much like Martha who is busy about all the details of keeping a welcoming household functioning, a parish priest is often consumed with the details of keeping a parish functioning. Martha’s sister Mary was content to really enjoy the presence of Jesus and let her sister worry about the details. (Luke: 10:38-42). I think Jesus is inviting me to spend my time enjoying and savoring His presence in a gentler and more patient way like Mary. Quite honestly as I enter the second half of my seventies, I am more concerned about post-retirement rather than retirement. It is easy to spend so much energy preparing for a few years of retirement while neglecting the time after retirement that will go on for eternity.
As John and I have talked about this significant transition we observed that there are just too many variables to chart a hard and fast course. We do hope to enjoy and celebrate the people that God puts in our life each day, knowing His love for us emerges in the richness of how we live with the people who fill our lives.
So “Thank You” is the most heartfelt response to all of you who have filled my life these many years. You will always be close to my heart and in my prayers.
Msgr. Mike