Dear Parishioners and Friends,
This weekend we are entering into a new era as we launch the Pastorate of St. Jane Frances de Chantal and Our Lady of the Chesapeake! I am very excited to be beginning my ministry as Pastor of St. Jane Frances while continuing as Pastor at Our Lady of the Chesapeake. As many of us know, our two communities were actually one community for many years, until the continued growth in Riviera Beach and Lake Shore led to the establishment of OLC in 1980. Now as times have changed, we are being invited to work together once again to continue the Church’s mission in our beloved communities. And we have lots of work to do!
We also welcome one of the newly ordained priests for our Archdiocese as our Associate Pastor, Fr. Jim Bors. Fr. Jim will be living at St. Jane Frances while I will be living at OLC, but our living arrangements do not mean we will not be present to both communities. After the first couple of weekends of introductions, Fr. Jim and I will be celebrating Masses at both parishes each week. The presider schedule will be posted on our websites for both parishes, so you will know who will be where each week (and we will know where to be as well!)
As we all know, there can be some uncertainty with change. We get used to the routines of the past and don’t always know what to expect in the future. I want to let everyone know at both parishes that it is my desire and prayer that this first year of our Pastorate will be one we all use to get to know each other and/or reacquaint ourselves once again, including a chance for Fr. Jim and I to get to know all of you at both parishes. Hopefully, we will be gathering together not only for Mass but also for social activities, and realizing that all of us love our Catholic faith and desire to serve our Lord, Jesus Christ by our words and deeds. I believe the first step in becoming missionary disciples to others is to become missionary disciples to each other, and begin the work of re-evangelizing our own family members and friends who have drifted away from our parishes over the past few years. So let’s begin to dream about the positive ways we can do this together!
This is the dawning of a new era, with its share of joys and challenges, but if we remain focused on our mission as disciples, and the fact that we are all members of the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church, then I believe the Holy Spirit will lead us and guide us down the path we are journeying together. Welcome to the SJF/OLC Pastorate!
God Bless,
Father Steve
