Dear family of Immaculate Conception,
It is with a full, grateful, humbled, and yet heavy heart that I write to you today.
I am both happy and sad as I announce my retirement from ministry at Immaculate Conception Church.
As many of you know, I have struggled a bit with asthma and a lowered immunity. Given our Pandemic and the Coronavirus, this places me in the “high-risk” category. I have been working mostly from home, social distancing and only going out for short necessary appointments and some part-time in office work.
The reality is that until there is a vaccine and/or no cases of active virus, I must stay socially distanced (home quarantined) or risk becoming infected with the virus.
To be fair to Fr. Matt, the staff, and You I must step back from this chapter in my life to heal and get well. You need someone who can walk the journey of faith with you in a way that I cannot do at this time. It breaks my heart because I so enjoy this ministry and love all of you! I will miss you!
I want to thank you for all the years of sharing, trust, and conversations spent with you. Thank you for allowing me to journey with you through the sacraments, especially R.C.I.A., and the privilege of accompanying you through grieving and celebrating life with you. All of you have given me way more than I could have asked for or imagined. As in all families, sometimes things are said or done that hurts or offends so I humbly ask for your forgiveness for anything that I may have said or done that has hurt or offended anyone. Know that I hold all of you in prayer daily.
I will continue to focus on healing and use this time to pray and study in the hope of sharing the fruits of contemplation. I will be around though and when it is safe, I will join you once again at Holy Mass.
Finally, I would be remiss if I did not thank all the priests/clergy that have ministered at I.C. during my time here, especially, Monsignor Moloney, Fr. Matt, Fr. Frecker, Fr. Schreck, and Msgr. Missimi and Deacon Campbell. Their leadership, kindnesses, words of wisdom and welcome will remain with me always. And thanks to the best office support staff ever!
Until we meet again, let us hold one another in prayer and thank God for the blessings.”
Peace,
Sr. Ruth