Pastor’s Letter: June 30, 2024

Pastor’s Letter: June 30, 2024

28 Jun 2024 | Posted by: chadmin

Dear St. Philomena Family,

Thank you for the open house last Saturday. The evening was filled with many stories, laughs, memories and thoughts about the future. Our Parish Trustees, Steve Knecht and Allyson Schneider, began the open house with some thoughts about the last 18 years. Since Saturday, many people have expressed a disappointment that they couldn’t make the Open House or hear well because of the crowd. We uploaded Steve’s comments to YouTube. The clip includes a description of the Parish’s gift of a chalice to me I am so grateful and humbled by the gift. I will love carrying the family of St. Philomena with me through the celebration of the Mass and the new chalice. Thank you to everyone who made the evening so successful.

As I celebrate Masses this weekend at St. Philomena, please know that I have a truly thankful heart. I am so grateful to Bishop Jenky for assigning me as parochial vicar, administrator and then as pastor of St. Philomena. It’s hard to believe how fast time goes. As I think about all the years, the Masses, the sacraments, the graduations, the joys and the sorrows, I am just truly grateful to have been a part of your parish family. We truly grew together over the years. My life as a priest and faith in Jesus Christ grew tremendously during my years with you.

I am daily edified by the love for the faith and the work ethic of our church and school staffs. While there are too many people to personally thank, I’d like to mention a few names. Our Parish Trustees, Allyson Schneider and Steve Knecht, provided an unbelievable amount of support, guidance, advice, and friendship. In like manner, the Parish Finance Council served to guide me as an administrator. Much of the growth at St. Philomena would not have happened without the support of our Trustees and Finance Council. In the church office, Fr. Don Henderson, Dcn. Mike Schallmoser, Marie Ketcham, Rhonda Parker, MaryBeth McGarvey, Susan Clark, Criss Sheehan, Gloria Khoury, Mary Pometto Stange and Jenny Witt, and in the school office Judy Schmidt, served with me as a Christ-centered team to further the Catholic mission of our parish. I’m so grateful to each of them for the unique talents they bring to this campus. The faculty and staff of the school are just too many to count! I truly loved working with Jodi Peine and learning from her. Jack Dippold has become a true friend. I have complete confidence in his leadership as principal of St. Philomena School. I know he will continue to further the excellence of the school. To all the faculty and staff of the church and school, I’ve been truly blessed by your daily commitment to serving God and neighbor.

To the whole parish family, I won’t say good-bye. We will be seeing each other from time to time. Fr. Luke is one of my best friends. I will come over to visit him and you. I’m excited for St. Philomena Parish to experience the pastoral ministry of Fr. Luke. You will love him and he will love being here with you. As I transition to Epiphany Parish in Normal, I couldn’t be more confident in St. Philomena Church and School continuing its Catholic ministry with the guidance of Fr. Luke, Fr. Daniel and Principal Dippold. You are in great hands. May God bless and guide us so that we might all one day meet in the eternal Kingdom. Peace.

God bless,

Father David