Father Mark's Letter to the Five Parishes

August 16, 2009

Life is a Journey!

An Important Letter FromYour Pastor, Fr. Mark Stang

I want to begin this letter by thanking your for your prayers for me,

especially that I might know what God wants in His wisdom. We are all on a

 journey and I pray for you especially those of you who are going through

 challenges whether it is a physical condition of yourself or a loved one.

I pray for you as we walk together on this journey to heaven. I will continue

to be with you in spirit, but not physically, as I take time to let my body

 heal, God willing, and then enter a sabbatical. I have over the past four+

 years shared much of my life journey with you, especially in regard to my

health and the challenge I have been given to deal with the cancer that is

present within my body.

 On Tuesday, July 21st, at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester I learned that

despite all efforts to contain the cancer, it continues to grow – not rapidly,

 but in the doctor’s words “it continues creeping “and growing in size. I,

like so many others am now challenged with beginning a more aggressive

treatment to combat the cancer. This presents yet another challenge in how

or if I can continue in ministry throughout the treatment. Upon my return

 from the Mayo Clinic, I spoke immediately with Bishop John Kinney and in

that conversation was given the gift of a truly caring shepherd, an example

of the love of our Father in heaven as our Bishop listened so attentively and

then responded with so much concern about my well being. Some months

ago I had talked with Bishop Kinney about a taking a sabbatical. Priests are

 eligible for, and encouraged to take a sabbatical every seven years for

spiritual and academic renewal of their vocation to the priesthood. My last

sabbatical was in 2000.

 I will be taking a medical leave of absence followed by a sabbatical, so that I

 might use all of my energy to endure the treatment in hope of returning to

 good health. It is difficult for me to make this decision, I do not look forward

to the treatment, especially when I am feeling so good right now, but I know

this is the right time. My life journey to this point has shown me the gift I have

 been given in being in an assignment with a Pastoral Staff that is totally

competent and able to serve you and provide for your needs in my absence.

Fr. Gregory Ombok will be assigned as canonical administrator for the five

parishes. Basically, the only change is that your priest will have shorter hair,

be a little taller, and a have a little darker skin. Fr. Gregory will be a wonderful

 spiritual leader.

 I have had conversation with Deb Rudolph and Terri Struzyk who have both

 been on staff for fourteen years and I appreciate both their abilities and their

 absolute willingness to take on added responsibilities. It was Deb who

assured me that there are so many good, willing and competent people in

each of our parishes that will continue their work in my absence. As I told

Bishop Kinney, our office and extended staff is a “well-run machine” giving

me peace of mind in my decision to take time to care for myself. I am totally

confident your needs will be met. I ask that you respect, work with, and care

 for Fr.Gregory and the staff while I am gone. I will take a medical leave

followed by a sabbatical and expect to return in May of 2010.

I met with the Trustees, Finance and Pastoral Councils last Tuesday

evening. We will continue to wait to hear from the Bishop in regard to the

combining of the Holdingford parishes, but do expect nothing will change

until after the St. Hedwig Centennial Celebration in September,2010.

What I ask of all parishioners is this; please continue to be the People of God

 that you are. Continue planning gatherings and teaching our children and

learning more about our shared faith. Continue to be a welcoming and

hospitable church praying for and working with one another to build the

Kingdom of God. Continue to support and care for one another, be

generous in your sharing of your time, talent and treasure. I ask for your full

participation in all areas of parish life and to pray for all those who are ill and

for me for successful treatment.

In the words of St. Paul to the Ephesians;

 “I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus

and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason,

 I do not cease to give thanks for you as

I remember you in my prayers.” Ephesians 1.15

I also ask all who read this letter to share it with others from our parish family

 who may not have received it. With thanksgiving in our hearts for abundant

life, let us trust that the Spirit of God will continue to guide our journey in this

life and bless us with eternal life with God. These words of Scripture keep

coming to me:

 “Eye has not seen, ear has not heard,

now has it dawned on man what God has ready

 for those who love Him”

Corinthians 2.9