“How is it going, Fr. Brad?”
In these pastor columns, I will very rarely talk about myself. But at the outset, I think it makes sense. So, here we go: a lot of kind parishioners at both Kirkland parishes have been asking me “how is it going Fr. Brad?” and my response is usually “Good. But it’s like drinking out of a firehose!” I think that is fair enough. Sometimes in the midst of change the correct answer is “I actually don’t know.” And there is nothing wrong with that. At least for a time.
This column is about how I am operating, and what I am learning.
As most parishioners have intuited or know, the basic plan for now is that at least for the first six months, on weekends, Fr. Val and I will swap every weekend. We are both living at Holy Family to help us form good teamwork that will provide pastoral consistency regardless of who is preaching and presiding where. Most weekdays I am spending the mornings at St. John Vianney and afternoons at Holy Family. The tech gurus have figured out how to give me a laptop with a docking station at each location, and an Outlook email application with tabs open to emails to both HFK and SJV accounts so I can be available to both staffs the whole workday even though I am half time physically at each place. Fr. Val takes Monday off and I take Tuesday off, and we both keep our “sabbaths holy” by almost never working on our days off.
What I am learning is that, predictably, Holy Family and Saint John Vianney each have their own “flavor.” Saint John Vianney is notable for me in that there are a lot of people who just chip in and do what needs to be done (or with staff doing things not in their job descriptions but they just do what needs to be done without being asked) – there is a real sense of ownership and collective investment for both staff and parishioners. Holy Family is notable to me in the number of people who have very specifically and pointedly and earnestly told me they are praying for Fr. Val and I, and have said “whatever you need, ask me (or my family) and we will step up.” “Coffee and donuts” at both places is more elaborate (more options) than any parish I have been in!
The people at both parishes have been incredibly kind to this point. I can speak for myself that I do feel very welcome and very supported. I am looking forward to our small group gatherings beginning in the fall so I can really begin to get to know the history, gifts, desires and hopes of parishioners at both parishes. Please keep us in prayer as we seek the Lord’s will in this uniquely new time!
With love in Christ,
Fr. Brad