St. Joseph of the Lakes

This past December Fr. Tix, Vicar General of the Archdiocese, called me to suggest that I might consider retirement in the near future. We had a great conversation and by the end of it I found myself moving very peacefully into that consideration. I had already begun to draw from social security, and I discovered what my pension payment would be if I retired in June. In those considerations it became clear to me that I could retire comfortably if I developed some sort of a third line of income. If I could say Mass and bring the sacraments to an Independent Living community that would give me room and board in exchange that would make for a very comfortable retirement. I also explored the possibility of becoming a “senior associate” somewhere (like Fr. Ken for us).  Based on my handicap I realized that this was not a great option for me. Right now, I am in a discussion with an Independent Living situation, and it is not clear, at my writing this, where this is going yet.  

In early March I spoke with Fr. Tix again and told him of my desire to move into medical retirement. I was asked to submit this request in writing to the Archbishop along with my resignation letter from the pastorate of Saint Joseph’s. My plan is to move into retirement on June 30, 2024. I am going to take vacation time from June 17 to the end of June. In that time, I am going to pack up and move into my new home. June 16 will be my last Sunday here. My hope is to open up the rectory space for the patches it needs in the hallways and doorways that I created as I learned to get around in my wheelchair. 

The archdiocese is hoping to announce the new pastor by the second Sunday of Easter (but as of this writing we do not know who it will be). I have had several good years here as your pastor and for that I am grateful to you and to God. I shall remember my days here with great fondness.