Queen of Peace Parish is Now Live-Streaming Our Liturgies

My Dear Friends,

May is an exciting time of year for priests because ordination to the Priesthood of Jesus Christ occurs during the month of May. On May 18, 2024 three transitory deacons will be ordained by Archbishop Nelson Perez as priests of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Fifty years ago, on May 18, 1974, twenty-eight transitory deacons were ordained by His Eminence John Cardinal Krol as priests of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Every newly ordained priest is excited to find out where his first assignment will be. Over the years, priests wait, some nervously, in anticipation for a phone call or letter saying, “you are being transferred”. Mixed emotions are plentiful. Often times the letter or call never comes and the priest prays a prayer of gratitude to God. Every priest has a simple mantra rooted in Sacred Scripture “where your heart is there is your home!” Over the past fifty years, I have received ten calls or letters saying in essence, “pack your heart, your new assignment is …” Of those ten, only one letter was expected.

There is a priest, whose name I do not know, who will soon receive a letter saying, “pack your bags your new assignment is Pastor of Queen of Peace in Ardsley.”

Yes, I am retiring as your pastor. It was not an easy decision for me to make. I love you with a love beyond all telling. I can still “do the job” but the reason for my retirement is twofold.

First to my mind, everything that you and I have accomplished has been in the best interest of our faith community. This fact, combined with my personal limitations, emphasizes for me that the potential which exists in each of you, and our parish in general, will only come to fruition under the leadership of a new shepherd. It is with great humility before God and faith in YOU that I surrender my heart and my home to another.

The second reason is, since 2001, I have been living alone. I am not lonely but as I age I am less willing to live the limitations and expectations of constantly being on call for hospitals and nursing homes. While I thoroughly love the blessing I receive in these ministries, I must admit I am looking forward to a new ministry. I will be living at Saint Bernadette Church in Drexel Hill, Delaware County. There is a fine young priest, Father John Masson, who is the pastor. He is actually excited about me coming to live with him. Can you believe it?!? He too is alone and is hoping my presence will offer him opportunities to “get some time off.” Retirement for me, as with every priest in good health, is only giving up the administration but never the ministry of service to the people of God. I shall do that at St. Bernadette’s.

The name of my successor will be made public on or about May 18th. You might hear rumors of who he is, but rumor are just that, rumors. Wait in prayer for the official announcement. Please pray that he will love you as I love you and give his life in service to you as I have done. Please pray with the understanding that the Holy Spirit, not just Archbishop Perez, is sending Father to you as a new paraclete who can guide you as a Good Shepherd into the new grace filled life you are meant to live through Mary the Queen of Peace and Saint John of The Cross.

My final words to you can be found in Philippians 4:4-9

Father Larry