Dear Parishioners,
Thank you for your acceptance of me as Pastor of St. James. It is a great grace for me, and I am eager to take on this role. We have already met (most of us) and you have kindly greeted and welcomed me. Now the Bishop is asking to present me to you formally and ceremonially within the rite of Installation at Mass. I hope you can join us this Tuesday at 5:30 pm. Many of you have never seen an Installation, so I thought I would let you know what happens during that ceremony. The Bishop comes and celebrates Mass with us. All the staff and council members are present, together with the priests and deacons of the parish. After the reading of the Gospel, the new pastor is called forward and presented by the Bishop to the congregation. Then the Bishop gives the homily. After that, he introduces the new pastor to various members of the parish: first the clergy of the parish, then the parish staff, followed by the parish council and the finance council. The pastor promises to seek their counsel, guidance and advice to lead the parish well. After these presentations, the Bishop asks the pastor to lead the people in the Profession of Faith after which he recites the Oath of Fidelity and signs documents containing these at the altar, giving them to the Bishop. The Bishop does this to ensure the bond of unity of the parish, through its pastor, to the bishop, the diocese and the universal Church. He also wants to provide for the correct teaching of the faith to the parishioners. For me this is a very moving moment, since I am well aware of my limitations and rely on the support of God, the Bishop and all of you to be able to carry out this mission the best I can. Please pray for me to do this well and sacrificially. Be assured of my daily prayers for all of you.
God Bless,
Fr. Timothy
Saint James Catholic Church 