Endings and Beginnings
With the end of the Christmas Season and the beginning of Ordinary Time, we have the gospel reading this weekend of the Wedding Feast at Cana in Galilee. Found only in the Gospel of St. John (John 2:1-11), this wedding feast turns out to be a pivotal time in the early days of the ministry of Jesus. It was here that he did “the beginning of his signs (miracles)” and “so revealed his glory, and his disciples began to believe in him.” As we know, the ‘sign’ was the changing of the water into wine which came from the request of his mother Mary; from her come the last words attributed to Mary in the New Testament: “do whatever He tells you.” Now these words were directed to the servers at the wedding, but they certainly can be a clarion call for you and me in our daily lives. We each might start the day by asking the Lord “what do you wish me to do for You today?” and who knows what might be asked? It’s a great way to start the day!
Msgr. John’s Retirement Announcement
As many of you know, last week I preached at all Masses and, in the midst of my homily, I announced that I have been given permission by Bishop Vann to retire from the pastorate of our parish and move into retirement. Priests of our Diocese can request retirement at age 70; since I will be turning 71 this coming summer, I know it is the right time for me to retire. I am not retiring from being a priest, but from the pastoral responsibilities of being full time in a parish. Bishop Vann asked me to assure you that he and the Priest Personnel Board will do their very best to find a good pastor for our parish from the priests available to take on such a job. Let us pray for that to happen! There is much to do each day in our parish and we are so blessed with a wonderful staff and incredible volunteers who make this parish full of life and love. I am so grateful to have been here for almost 14 years as your pastor. Let us pray for one another as this transition begins to unfold. Much more to come.
Monsignor John Urell
