Dear Friends,
Many of you may know that Fr Jerome belonged to a religious order before coming to serve in the Diocese of Phoenix over 5 years ago. He has requested to leave the order and become a permanent priest in our Diocese. One of the requirements for this process is that he serve in at least two parishes before he is accepted. With this in mind, Bishop Olmsted has asked Fr Jerome to move to All Saints Church in Mesa as the Associate Pastor (or, more formally, the Parochial Vicar). May 29 will be Fr Jerome’s last Sunday here.
Although I have worked with Fr Jerome for a short time, I am very grateful to him for his willingness to do whatever is needed in his service to our parish. He has also been very supportive of me as a brother priest. I pray that our Lord and Our Blessed Mother will bless Fr Jerome as he begins his new mission in our Diocese.
Fr Robert Aliunzi will be coming to replace Fr Jerome. Many of you know Fr Robert as the current Pastor of St Andrew in Chandler. Fr Robert is also in the process of leaving a religious order to become a Diocesan Priest. During this transition time, Fr Robert has humbly asked the Bishop to serve as a Parochial Vicar and the Bishop has chosen OLMC as Fr Robert’s assignment. I am very pleased about that and I am sure that you will be too.
I have been a close associate of Fr Robert’s for quite some time and can vouch for his deep spirituality, keen intellect and apostolic zeal. His gifts will be a blessing to OLMC. Fr Robert will begin his service here on Jun 1, 2022
One of the improvements that was promised the parish from the Together Let Us Go Forth Capital Campaign was a new pulpit. The current one is the original from when the Church was built. For a number of reasons, it is no longer adequate to serve our needs in proclaiming God’s Word. I have commissioned the building of a new pulpit that will be more functional and hopefully integrate well with the brass rails and the current architecture. We are expecting to have it installed before Easter.
Great Lent to all.
May God bless you and your family, Fr Charlie
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