Father Paul's Ponderings

Happy Anniversary!
 
            It’s my second anniversary serving as your Priest-in-charge. Remember the phrase “time flies
when you’re having fun?” It doesn’t seem to have been two years since I came here. Truly, the time has
flown by. After a four-year hiatus from active parish ministry, spending those years as director of the
pre-school program at Grace, this was an opportunity to return to parish ministry. The strange and
surprising part was that I returned to an island ministry, having left something very similar in Maine in
1996, I found myself once again called to a small parish on an island only a little smaller that Mount
Desert Island, Maine where I served for 15 years.

            While the summers here are twenty degrees hotter than Maine, the winters are much colder
and much longer than here. I was probably one of the few prepared for the snow fall last winter. To me
it was just a flurry!

            The real gift that has been given to me while serving here is you. I’ll make that plural: you-all. Your
sense of commitment, dedication, generosity and support is deeply appreciated. They have allowed
me to function in a personal and joyful way in all that we have done. You have been patient with my
sense of humor, flexible with the way I’ve introduced some new things in learning and liturgy and giving
when it came to helping others. In those ways, this has been the most wonderful parish I’ve served. 

            Let’s admit it, no one has been through recent times anywhere else like this diocese. It hasn’t been
easy, but by remaining dignified and dedicated we will see a new day soon and focus our spirit with the
Holy Spirit for the benefit of the whole island.

            It’s been my privilege to travel this road with all of you. I know I’ve grown in my faith and
sense of purpose because of it and I see that you have too. Thank you for the opportunity.

In Christ,
Fr. Paul