Dear Friends,
The last episode of the sitcom Seinfeld garnered a huge amount of attention and hype. Seinfeld had been the top rated show for a couple of years, and it came as a surprise when Jerry Seinfeld willingly chose to bring the show to an end. The last episode, therefore, was a cultural event. Some networks did not even try to compete with the Seinfeld finale. What that episode would entail was a mystery and kept top-secret: scripts were destroyed every day. Some wondered if the finale would simply be similar to all of the other episodes with the show and plot operating as though nothing final was happening. For those who have seen the finale of Seinfeld, we know that is not what happened. Instead, the writers devised a plot which brought back many of the characters of past shows (for the sake of brevity, I’m not to delve fully into the plot). Reactions to the finale were tepid, at best. Many found it to be a major disappointment. I think no matter what the finale was it was going to be difficult for it to match the hype that had been built.
As I write this bulletin column, I could write a lesson in theology, history, or basic catechesis, as I have often done, and operate as though nothing is happening, but I am not going to do that. I could also use this space to catalogue different events during my time, but there is no need for me to air any grievances. As I write this bulletin column, I am overwhelmed with a sense of gratitude. I am grateful to Almighty God for the opportunity to have been your pastor and your priest for the last three years. On a personal level, my time allowed me to spend the final years with my grandparents. At the same time, you will always hold a special place in my life for you were the first parishes of which I was a pastor, a shepherd. It has been a blessing and gift for me to spend time with you in different settings and at different functions. The relationships and friendship that I have formed here are special blessings to me. God planned for us to spend these last three years together, and for that, I am grateful.
I am thankful for each one of you. You welcomed a young, inexperienced priest of only five years (at the time) with tremendous hospitality and graciousness. You laughed at my bad jokes, put up with my many references to the Browns, Skyline Chili, and Seinfeld, and were patient with me when I failed in some way or another. We navigated our way through Covid, and we were building good momentum for the future. In many ways, you have cared for me and watched out for me, and for that, I am grateful to you. While I don’t want to single anyone out, I do want to publicly thank the staff members of both parishes and the members of the Parish Leadership Team. They are an excellent group of people, who do their job very well and give so much of themselves to our parishes. They have been patient with me, a first time pastor, and have taught me in many ways during this time. I would have been terribly lost without them for the last three years. Thank you.
I am aware of my faults and failings and know that I have not always been the man, priest, and pastor you need and God has called me to be. To anyone whom I have insulted, hurt, or neglected, I am sorry and ask for your forgiveness. To anyone who I have failed in some way or another, I am sorry and ask for your forgiveness. To everyone, I simply ask for your constant prayers for me, that I may be the man, priest, and pastor that God calls me to be and that the Church needs. Know that I will continue to pray for all of you.
Fremont isn’t right next door, but it’s also not halfway across the country either. As I mentioned last week at Mass, though separated by space, we remain united to each other in prayer and in the Eucharist, the Body and Blood of Christ; we remain united in our striving to grow in virtue and holiness; we remain united in the Eucharist as saints under construction.
We are saints under construction, praying for each other and united in Christ in the Eucharist. Thank you for everything. Have a great week, and God bless!
In Christ,
Fr. Matt