Jesus Christ is Risen – Alleluia!

I’ve got some good news and some bad news. First the good: I’ll be leaving for a sabbatical at the end of April and returning in early August. Now the bad news: I’ll be leaving for a sabbatical at the end of April and returning in early August. Specifically, I’ll be gone from Monday, April 26 through Tuesday, August 3. While I’m away, Fathers Martin and Woodman, both retired priests living in southwest Washington, will cover most of the weekend Masses. Fr. Martin will cover the weekday Masses as well. I am so grateful for all the priests who cover for me when I’m gone, we’d be closing down Masses without them.

Diocesan priests are entitled to a three month sabbatical every six or seven years. I’ve been a priest for nearly 17 years and this will be my first sabbatical. A sabbatical is a time for a priest to go away and further his studies. For me, it is also a time to recharge and reorient myself. I hope to do a lot of reading and praying, and a little bit of writing. Specifically, I’ll be reading about the various stages in the spiritual life, from the life of a person who lives in a state of habitual mortal sin, to the very rare few who achieve the unitive state with God. I hope to share some of what I discover with you over the coming years.

Speaking of the coming years, Archbishop Etienne has formally re-upped me for another six years as your pastor, meaning that I will remain the pastor of Holy Redeemer until at least 2027. I wouldn’t mind staying here for life. Perhaps things will work out that way.

In the next couple of weeks I’ll write about our church completion project. We’re getting very close to moving in.

May God Bless You,