As many of you are aware by now, we will soon be saying farewell to Jane Schmitz, our Parish Director, on December 31. She's not going to disappear as a part of our community, but after 40 years of parish pastoral ministry she has discerned that it's time to step away from leadership and to devote her energies in a new direction. I completely honor that, though I personally lament that. I know that many of us are aware of what a vital life force Jane has been at Pax Christi for a very long time. Hers will be very large shoes to fill, and I am grateful for all that she has done for us as a witness to faith and as an encourager of others who work here.
But I want you to be aware that I and our parish leaders are on task to make sure that this transition to whatever is next takes place seamlessly. Our trustees, a couple of other parish leaders, and I are poised to vet and to welcome whomever comes next. We don't yet know who that person may be, but we hope to have some decisions made within the next few weeks. Jane has generously agreed to be a partner in helping the hand-off go well.
It is good that any parish community does not ever overly rely on the wisdom and skill of any one person, whether it be a pastor, or parish director, or anybody else. We are the Body of Christ together, so we will carry on through changes in specific leadership people. Pray for wisdom as we discern who our next parish director shall be!
Of course, the major challenge ahead is how to acknowledge and celebrate Jane's immense gifts to Pax Christi during a time when it's not possible to gather in large groups and to say thank you, and to recognize a lifetime of pastoral service. Damn this COVID-19! But we will find a way before the new year to make it happen. I'll keep you posted as best I can.
CLICK ON IMAGE BELOW FOR A VIDEO MESSAGE ON GENEROSITY