May 30, 2020
Dear St. Rita Catholic Community:
It's always bittersweet when new assignments are made, but it’s a testament to the mission and vitality of the Church. Today we announce that Bishop Burns has assigned Fr. Michal to serve as Spiritual Director at Redemptoris Mater Seminary in Dallas beginning July 1. Likewise, he has assigned Fr. Michael Baynham to serve as Parochial Vicar at St. Rita also beginning July 1.
We are deeply grateful for Fr. Michal’s remarkable ministry among us these past few years! He will always remain in the hearts of the St. Rita Community! Also, the work he has done during his time here—particularly his commitment to pastoral care—has permanently changed our Parish for the better. His is a wonderful legacy! Also, for those of you who know him well, you understand the wisdom of appointing him Spiritual Director in the seminary. His gifts will flourish there, and he will contribute well to the formation of new clergy.
Fr. Michal will say goodbye himself, which is difficult in this time of social distancing! Please be assured that when we can safely gather again, we will call Fr. Michal back to St. Rita for a proper send-off! He deserves a party, and we’ll throw him one as soon as we can!
At the same time, we are very happy to welcome Fr. Michael Baynham to St. Rita! He is an outstanding priest you will no doubt come to love and embrace as one of us. A gifted priest, he will help St. Rita thrive in the coming years! I have known him for years, and I am thrilled to serve alongside him.
A little about Fr. Michael: he grew up in Coppell, Texas and is the youngest of four boys. He attended public schools in Coppell and graduated from Coppell High School in 2008. He first heard a calling to the priesthood in the 10th grade, and after high school he entered Holy Trinity Seminary at the University of Dallas, where he earned a B.A. in Philosophy & Letters, graduating in 2012. Fr. Michael then continued his formation for the priesthood at Theological College at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., where he earned a Bachelor of Sacred Theology and a Master of Divinity in 2017. Fr. Michael was ordained a priest by Bishop Edward Burns on June 3, 2017 at the Cathedral Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Dallas. Since then, he has served at St Joseph Catholic Church in Richardson, St Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Plano, and as Chaplain at St John Paul II High School.
So, please join me in thanking God for the ministry of Fr. Michal and Fr. Michael! Let’s pray for them and for our community! The Church is alive and well and St. Rita is as strong as ever! Thank you to all who make St. Rita what it is! Blessings!
pax,
Fr. Joshua