Fr. Eoin Murphy
In an open letter to his parishioners Fr. Eoin Murphy has announced that he will be leaving St. Joseph Parish in St. Johns at the end of June, 2012. Below is the text of his message.
As most of you know by now, I announced last Sunday that I will be retiring from my ministry here at St. Joseph at the end of June this year. I did this early as there is a diocesan process in which the parish and its profile are put on a web site for priests so that priests who might wish to come here as pastor would have a chance to see what the parish is like and what is involved in being pastor here.
I wished to tell you myself before you began to hear any rumors going around the diocese about changes of leader-ship. I really found it very difficult to tell you of my decision, as I have spent many happy years here and it is very difficult for me to leave, but after much thought and prayer I feel it is the right one.
When Bishop Mengeling asked me to come to the parish it was at rather short notice, and I really thought that I would only spend three or four years before I would return to my own archdiocese of Dublin.
The reason I have stayed so long is that I have loved the ministry here, as I think that you are a faith-filled and warm-hearted people, and I have regarded it as a privilege to have served you for eleven years.
I believe that the pastor, while he has an important role as leader, is one of the People of God and that we all together have been given a task to spread the gospel and to build the Kingdom on earth. The Second Vatican Council emphasized the role of the laity in building that kingdom, and we have become very used to it now in all the ministry roles you carry out.
Last week we had two ceremonies of First Reconciliation, and this weekend sixty or so of our young people are al1ending their Confirmation retreat, the culmination of eighteen months of faith formation in mentor groups and service opportunities. Looking at the monthly calendar and seeing the sacramental events and prayer groups and other activities should constantly remind us that we are a community of faith living our lives in the vision of the Council.
Last week was Catholic Schools Week when we recognize the importance of Catholic schools in the building up of the Catholic Church in America. We had a wonderful celebration on Saturday evening, with a packed church and a joyful celebration of the Eucharist. The children who sang and read were not putting on a show but were expressing their faith through the music, readings and participation. We must always remember that our schools were built with the pennies and the labor of the first immigrant groups and, overall, they have not only built up parishes and the church in America, but they have contributed significantly to the shaping of our society as we know it now.
We can never forget the commitment and sacrifice which brought that about. Many of your parents or grandparents may have told you about digging with shovel and spade the foundations of the building which houses St. Joseph school. Following in their footsteps, we must always ensure that our school, so vital to the parish. will continue to grow and be a center of teaching the faith and excellence in learning.
Tell the community about the great graduates that come from our school and invite them to send their children there to reap the benefits of a great parish institution.