On My Leaving St. Michael’s in Woonsocket (from the bulletin)

Why I Asked to be Transferred from St. Michael’s in Woonsocket
(From a Summer 2015 Bulletin)

When Pani Matka Tina Marie and I look back on the eight years we spent with you here, I expect that we will recognize them as some of the best years of our life.  These years together have been good for us, for you, and for this parish.  So you should know two things starting out.  First, there is nothing here pushing us away.  All the challenges that have come up here have been normal and I have been pleased at how well we have been able to work together (glory to God). Second, the bishops are not pulling me away to serve somewhere “better”.  We have many wonderful parishes, but there is nowhere “better” and they have no interest in messing up a good thing.  

I asked to be transferred so that I could serve closer to the seminary and be closer to family.

I have always been a teacher.  I love every aspect of it (well, maybe not the paperwork!). I have taught many subjects in many different settings and I enjoyed them all, but teaching at seminary is a perfect match.  I have taught at our UOC-USA seminary for the last six years, have served as the “Vocations Director” of the seminary for the last two years, and as an Associate Dean for the past year.  This has been a great experience.  The only downside?  Our seminary is in New Jersey.  It takes an average of twelve hours to make the round-trip and I have been doing it pretty much every week for the last three years.

I have tried different ways to make my service to the seminary invisible to you and easy on my family; for example, leaving at 2:30AM and getting back at midnight so that I would only be gone one day (this worked for about a year), taking the train, etc., but it has been taking an ever increasing toll on me, my family, and my ability to serve you as you deserve to be served.  It just isn’t sustainable and I’ve done it as long as I can.

In addition, it has been a hardship to be so far away from our families in the south and midwest.  I rejoice when I see how close children are to their grandparents in our parish, but am saddened that my own children only get to see their grandparents once a year (at best).  This becomes even more difficult as our parents struggle with debilitating diseases.  Being close to seminary will also bring us closer to family.

Please know that this was an incredibly difficult decision to make.  I love what we are doing together here.  I love each of you.  But I know that this is the right time, not just for me, but for this parish.  The unity and love that you have for Christ and one another and your willingness to lead and work together for the Gospel means that you will continue to thrive.   

I still do not know when our last Sunday will be [we have since learned that it will be13 September 2015] or who will be serving you next [we now know it will be Fr. Borislav Kroner].  But I do not worry because I have put my life in the hands of the Living God.  Please remain with me in that peace (and patience) during what could otherwise be a stressful situation.