St. Joseph the Worker

Dear SJW Parishioners:

I don’t say it enough, but I am going to say it now---I truly enjoy being the pastor of SJW and having you all at the parish.  God has blessed me once again in assignments by having me here in Chatham.  I really do believe that this is where the Lord wants me to be.  You all have been such a blessing to me, helping me live out my priesthood in a wonderful way and grow in my priesthood. 

In my 39+ years of ordination, I have seen the Lord in so many instances and in so many people.  From St. Al’s in Spfld., to St. Mary’s in Quincy, to St. Thomas in Newton, to Holy Family in Decatur, and now here at SJW, my life as a priest has been enriched daily.  Jesus has touched my heart in the beauty of the lives He has put before me.  My priesthood is the fullest when I preside at Mass, recalling the Paschal Mystery of Jesus Christ, being fed with His Body and His Blood.  And to lead God’s People in the Eucharistic Liturgy is an honor that is hard to describe.  I am grateful for the nourishment I receive through the Eucharist and through you and others.

One of my joys is to be the Associate Vicar for the Senior (Retired) priests.  There are 27 retired diocesan priests who have served our diocese for many, many decades.  It is my privilege to reach out to them and to see if they are taken care of or need anything from the diocese or me.  I am in awe of their holiness, humility, and service.  We owe them a lot for their priesthood.  We owe them much for their pastoral care of God’s flock.  We are in debt to them for their selflessness in bringing the Lord’s love to others and for their sacramental ministry.

May we all give thanks to God for the countless ways He shows His presence to us.  May we pray for all the priests in our diocese, especially our Senior ones.  May we pray for more vocations to the priesthood, so that the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist, will continue to be celebrated for the faithful People of God in the diocese of Springfield-in-Illinois.

Your grateful priest pastor, Father Joe