I have felt that the value of term limits for pastors was good since we all have different gifts put in service to the People of God and the Gospel.  In my formation, my teachers and professors were not ego trips, but by example they taught me to use gifts in service to others. The same can be said for most of the parishioners of Resurrection. In 1967 thru Spring of 1971, I found myself in a seminary system that separated academic training from formation for ministry. Those years were revolutionary since Vatican documents had been written and were to implement those realities. Resurrection was being gestated in those years and born in 1969.  By the grace of God, I have been part of this parish community. I hesitated writing “parish” since we have always seen ourselves in service to a larger community chiefly through its social concerns/justice ministry.
 
   In our past musicians’ concert, we enjoyed the radical touch of Res. Opening with the children singing: “Our hearts are restless until they rest in you,” did they we all realize they were quoting St. Augustine of North Africa of the early 5th century! Don’t we all pray that they will treasure that lyric throughout their lives.  “City of God” was sung and the same Augustine wrote a book of the same title.  “Rain down” reminded me of Pentecost experience. A favorite prayerful expression: Spirit of the Living God fall afresh on me (us).

   I came to Res in 2004, so, so many memories! One striking radical moment was when as part of the opening prayer, a prophetic member delivered a reading from Gustavo Gutierrez. In my controlled way, I recall internally “pinching myself” and asking self: is this really happening? Yesterday’s radical may be accused of living in the past. But again: don’t throw the baby out with the bath water. By the grace of God, Fr. Gene Walsh was with us in Washington, DC, for three years of my formation. His sentiments: “The central energy of all ministry is seen no longer as only “doing things” for people, but rather making yourself “present to” them. It is the very personal energy of going out of your way to “pay attention” to everyone else. This shift in point of view is revolutionary.”  Ergo, we don’t say Mass for you but celebrate with you.

    Fr. Gene Walsh, liturgy teacher, made clear that one of the implications of Vatican II saying that the Church is the People of God that the priest is one of the people (not aside, below or above) and thus an equal member. Yet as leader/ presider of Eucharist with the assembled people, the priest was to develop skills to help him become more competent. He wrote: “Ordination does not give competence in celebration. Good will and piety do not make an effective minister any more than they make and effective plumber.” As with most of my teachers, I put into practice some of their teachings more than others. And as I said earlier, priests have different gifts and varying competencies in the many roles of ministry. As a teen and young adult I learned to deal with an arrogant priest yet it was easy not to imitate him.

   That being said I move on to thank you for your many gifts and talents as people of God. I found it hard to know the gifts and talents gathered together with me at Eucharist. But many of you came forth. I am not trying to name people but as I said in the first part there are so many, many, good memories of being here at Res. This gives us strength as a parish and brings satisfaction.

    I am not only moving on from Res. but also retiring which brings to mind comparisons of parishes.  At Mary Magdalen, my most noticeable event was the major construction project. Others did the work on that. But after six years, a long term parishioner said I brought peace to the parish: “we are no longer fighting with one another.” I think they got tired of fighting but I tried not to allow them to be pitted in a divisive way.  I knew Res. was not looking for “brick and mortar” pastor, so a few other strengths came forward. I thank you for your cooperation over the years. And now you face another challenge of post pandemic and welcoming a new Bishop as well as new pastor.

    Without a doubt, priests are convinced that people they don’t even know are praying for them. This is true for me. And I praise God and thank you for your prayers. It seems strange not to have some sort of party but until an effective vaccine is discovered and tried, we can understand the situation we are in to say nothing of my unhealthy lungs.

    On behalf of the larger parish and in their name, those involved in the central operations of the parish had a luncheon to mark my retirement. I and others shared some memories and stories of past experiences not only from Res. but my long history. Then we actually talked about the transition from me to the next pastor, Fr. Greg, who was there. It seemed like a fruitful discussion. 

   Later that day, I received an email listing the clergy appointments.  (You know them from the Dialog.) That brought clarity to the official date. In the next month I plan to relax, re-create, and throw out stuff and papers accumulated over the years. I know that we will be in each other prayers. I might see you here, there, or simply in a walk in the park. 

   You will continue as a strong parish as in various ways we bring Christ’s message to each other and the world. Again I am thankful for being with you these many years. As Christians we commit ourselves to service to those outside the parish as well as one another with a focus on the vulnerable and those lacking justice.  As priest I never retire but in transition, bye for now.
 
    with joy, Fr. Bill Graney