From the Rector

Dear Friends,

One of the beautiful things about parish ministry is the incredible privilege of being welcomed into people's lives in a way that few others are. Priests walk and pray alongside people through all manner of circumstances and naturally form close bonds with them. The sad part that is always in the back of the mind is knowing that it won't last forever and that at some point, in God's good time, the season will end. 

Nine years ago my time in Philadelphia came to an end as I accepted the call to become your next rector. In my office, you can see a framed picture of my former parish with many well-wishes written around it on the matte. It is a lovely reminder to me of my time there.

Imagine my joy, then, when I was asked to perform the wedding of a young woman from my former parish whom I have known since she was 11. She's nearly 30 now, and the wedding took place in the stunning gardens of her aunt's home in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. She is a part of what was the largest family in the parish, with five daughters, plus spouses and children.  So you can see that it was something of a family reunion. She is the fourth woman in that family whom I have married, not to mention all of the baptisms and confirmations!

Back home at St. Mary's, prayers are being lifted up, a number of weddings are on the books, and several burials are being planned, as well as Memorial Day and the general day to day. I am truly blessed with this calling and grateful for my past experiences as well as this season in which I walk with you.

Blessings,
Father Rick

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