As I celebrate my last weekend Masses as your pastor, my heart is filled with so much gratitude for what I was given over the last seven years. It has truly been a gift to me to journey with you in faith because it has helped me grow in my own faith, in my priesthood and in my Church.
Catholics do not always appreciate how important they are in the life of their priests as their spiritual family and how their priesthood is marked by the places to which they have been assigned.
My only two regrets during my time at POTHE are not being able to know more people and for realizing that I may have unintentionally hurt people. This parish is so large, and it was always difficult to be everywhere I would have liked to be. Making sacrifices in order to tend to things is the cost of our clustering. It is my hope that people did not feel that I ignored them or the things they felt needed more attention from me. This is a large parish with a lot going on. Moreover, I know that I am not perfect. If I did something wrong or hurt someone by a flip comment or had to make an unfavorable decision, I ask for your forgiveness. In all humility, I want you to know that I did the best I could given the skills and character God gave me, but I do leave here knowing that I could have done better and I could have done more.
Parish of the Holy Eucharist is now a big part of my history and my life and it will always be an important chapter in my priesthood and relationship with God. Thank you for everything. I wish you all, and the new pastor, Fr. Phil, all of God’s blessings and successes as this parish continues to grow and thrive. Know that I am only a turnpike ride away, so if you are ever in Lewiston, please make it a point to say “HI!” Please pray for me and the Church in Lewiston.
--Fr. Dan