07/31/2021
Dear friends of St. Mary’s and parishnors
During our eight years years togetherwe have probably experienced almost everything on the list. I remember the baptisms, weddings, funerals, brunches, auctions, car wash, Lenten studies, Christmas plays, singing, praying, preaching, fellowship, and friendship. I remember it all! There was some tearing down of old ideas and planting of new ideas, some disagreements and some resolutions, some remembering and some forgiving, We have collected car loads full of food and clothing for the St.Vincent de Paul , as well as,sponsoring a family from Syria who are doing well and settling down and assimilating in to the Canadian culture. We have laughed and cried, mourned and danced and ate way too many desserts and breakfast casseroles! But never too much carrot cake! We have said goodbye to beloved members who have moved or went onto the church triumphant and we have welcomed new people as well. We acquired a new sound system, the basement renovated, Had a vibrant youth group,had a youth minister, many International dinners,bought new boilers, Aircondioned the church and the hall,renovated the grotto,new cement pad,new lights new alter etc. We got a new cross and tabernacle for the church with two statues of mary and Joseph in the Church.We put new security system with HD cameras around the church,New Led lights in the Chuch,we are surviving the pandemic with Livesterming mass and other services in the church.We have survived raging storms, shoveled much snow and spent many more days in the sun.
Throughout it all, we have bonded and grown in wonderful ways while experiencing a great deal of mercy, grace, joy and love! The Lord has blessed us in more ways than we can count. The Lord has certainly been with us and has shown us that what we think is impossible, God makes possible.
I have always believed that a pastor is called to a particular place, for a particular time, with a particular purpose to a particular group of people in a particular community. We may have not accomplished everything that I had hoped for; yet still much was accomplished. It was always my intention and my commitment to the Bishop that I would serve you in a particular way which included preparing you for your next pastor. The new pastor has been chosen and so it is my time to exit.
When Jesus prepared to leave his disciples, he found three promises to share:
First, Jesus promised to make a home in his disciples’ hearts. (John 14:23),
Second, Jesus promised to fill the disciples with a spirit of courage and comfort. “The Holy Spirit…will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you”. (John 14:26).
Finally, Jesus promised to sustain his disciples with a special kind of peace. “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you” (John 14:27).
So as Mary Lindberg says (from The Graceful Exit), “So we’ll open the gifts Jesus gave us—a home in him, the courage to move
on, the peace that will get us through many unknowns. And we’ll trust that God is staying with those we love for many more seasons.”
The thing you need to remember is that you will always be a part of me and I will always be a part of you. Thank you for all of your patience, kindness, mercy, grace, generosity and love that you have shown me! You are a great group of people and I wish you all the best in this new season that you are about to begin. May you continue to grow in faith, hope and love, worshipping the Lord with your whole heart, mind, body and soul and remember to do everything for the glory of God!
Yours in Christ ,
Fr.Mathew Pendanathu
