A Letter From Father Rafal – My New Journey

Times flies. It’s been almost three years since I came to this parish. God blessed me in so many ways
sending me here. I am always grateful to God for all these opportunities. I have met you and talked to you and shared my faith with you. I am especially grateful to Father Arisman. He is a wonderful man who taught me many things and prepared me in the best way he can for me to be a pastor one day. He is also my good friend. Not everyone can be your boss and at the same time be friendly and nice to you. Fr. Arisman can be both.

Now it’s time for me to leave this parish. Bishop Paprocki has appointed me the pastor of Our Lady of the Holy Spirit parish in Mount Zion, Ill. and St. Isidore parish in Bethany, Ill. This will take place on July 1. I’m looking forward to this new journey even though I know it’s going to be a sad experience to leave this parish knowing how much people love me here and appreciate my ministry to them. I’m going to miss the school and encounters with the children. I always have fun with the children and enjoy visiting their classrooms.

Jesus speaks today about bearing good fruit. To bear the fruit intended by God, we must strive to be constantly united to Christ. Jesus compares himself to a vine and us to branches. He says, "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and every one that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit.” Just as the value of a branch, its vitality and fruitfulness depend on its union with the vine, so the value of our life depends on our union with Christ. What exactly does this mean? Well, this means that each of us is a branch planted by Christ in the vineyard called "Church." Each of us is to bear the fruit that God designated for us when he chose us and gave us a special calling. God loves us and cares for us. We are all part of the Church. We are responsible for each other. God intended to give us a Church so we can worship Him and bring to Him our prayers and intentions. God is great! We need to work on ourselves and grow in holiness. Let us keep praying for each other, so we can achieve our common goal, which is heaven.

At the end I would like to say thank you for all the birthday cards you sent me. Thank you especially for the gifts of money, which I can use for my trip to Poland as I leave on May 4. I have 28 people going with me. It’s going to be a great trip.

I really appreciate every gesture of kindness to me. You are wonderful people and I’m happy to be a part of this great community. What I cannot say in words I will include in my prayers for you. Let God bless your good hearts and give you good health and peace in your hearts.

Father Rafal