During my time at St. Theresa Parish, which is now 25 years, we as a parish have experienced everything on the list. I so fondly remember the baptisms, weddings, funerals, potlucks, Lenten activities, Christmas plays, Christmas Giving Tree, SVDP collection of food and the countless home visits, singing, praying, fellowship, friendship, and our Catholic Faith alive and well at St. Theresa Parish. We have had some tearing down of old ideas, and planting of new ideas, some disagreements, and some resolutions, some remembering and some forgiving. We have laughed and cried together, mourned, and celebrated. We have said goodbye to beloved members who have moved or went onto other parishes and welcomed new parishioners as well. We have survived snowstorms, shoveled much snow, and spent many days in the sun.
Throughout it all, we have bonded and grown in wonderful ways while experiencing a great deal of mercy, grace, joy, and love. The Lord has blessed us in more ways than we can count. The Lord has shown us that what we think is impossible, God makes possible. Through all of this, I never thought that I would be here at the parish for 25 years. Certainly not in the position that I am currently as the Pastoral Coordinator of St. Theresa.
But, as my mom always told me, “There is a beginning, a middle, and an end.” So, today, I am writing to all of you to inform you that I have written to Archbishop Etienne requesting that he not renew my term as the Pastoral Coordinator of the parish, and that beginning June 30, 2022, I would be retiring from St. Theresa Parish. He has graciously written back to me and accepted my request to retire from the parish. At this time, I have no knowledge of who will be assigned to the parish beginning July 1, 2022. That will be up to Archbishop Etienne in consultation with the priest personnel board. I trust solely in his judgement, and I am very sure that he will do his best to find a suitable individual to serve and be assigned at St. Theresa Parish.
As we continue through this journey of faith, please remember that St. Theresa Parish, and all of you will be a part of me and my family as we go forth. Thank you to all of you for all your patience, kindness, mercy, grace, generosity, and love that you have shown to me. I truly will pray for the parish and all of you as the parish enters this new journey that you will all be entering. I want to thank our parish staff with all my heart including Fr. Jay, Fr. Gilberto, Deacon Jim, and all the staff for their love, support, and willingness to serve at our parish. Without all of them, I could not have survived!
In closing, may you continue to grow in faith, hope, and love, worshipping the Lord with your whole heart, mind, body, and soul and remember to do everything for the glory of God.
Assuring you all my continued prayers, and love,
Linda DeMarce
Pastoral Coordinator