St. Joseph of the Lakes

These have been amazing days for me! When I felt a peace beyond understanding enter into my soul as I prayed about retirement I did not know where that decision would lead me. I knew that I needed to leave that in God’s hands, but I did have a certain amount of presumption that because I was an ordained priest I would be welcomed by any of the Catholic senior care centers in the Twin Cities. This journey into retirement has been both humbling and at the same time reassuring. I was humbled as I approached several senior care centers only to discover that they would see me as a client who would be renting an independent living unit rather than as an asset in their care for their clients. I was seeking a partnership with them, and they were looking for an increase in their population. 

I discovered how God had completely wrapped me in His care as I began to become very anxious about where I would end up living. Between my pension and Social Security benefits I could barely afford to pay the rent required in most of the places I checked.. I would have very little left over to buy food or the other necessities that crop up.  Given my physical disabilities I would have found it difficult to travel parish to parish filling in (as Fr. Steve does) thus I could not count on raising enough money by saying Masses as the need arose.

From the very beginning of this journey into retirement I was given a direction to look at the Benedictine Living Community-Regina in Hastings. I was resistant to this because I considered it too far away from my family and friends. Yet there were signs to me that this was where I was to turn. First Fr. Tix, the Vicar General for clergy invited me to look. After my disappointments in visiting other facilities, it was such a blessing to enter into Regina. The staff that I met made me feel welcomed, cared for and needed. Then I discovered that there were two of our parishioners who are significant presences in the Benedictine Health Care management. 

I will be making my home at the Benedictine Living Community-Regina. They are offering me room and board in exchange for the priestly ministry that I can offer. I will also work with the attached Allina Hospital as a part-time chaplain.  This will allow me to be in active ministry in my retirement.  Although I am limited by spinal stenosis I am more than capable of being a beacon of God’s presence both sacramentally and personally. I am looking forward to this transition. 

I will be saying my last Mass at 10:00 am on June 16 and my plan is to move into my new residence on June 17. As the occasions arise, I will be back to visit, especially in such momentous events as the festival, to have a chance to enjoy your friendship, but never to detract from your new pastor: Fr. Bill Deziel.