It’s said that one of the consistent parts of life is change. Our lives are full of change & that also includes the lives of our parishes. This weekend, I wanted to update you on 2 changes that are/will be happening over time that will impact the lives of both of our parish families.

  The first, is that Fr. Clyde has informed me that he has begun the process of applying for formal retirement. Here in the Diocese of Cleveland, the formal retirement age for priests is 75 & this past November, Fr. Clyde turned 74. In recent weeks, Fr. Clyde has begun meeting with the Diocese to review his retirement plans & wanted to inform me, & all of us, of those plans so that we could begin to prepare for any changes that will come. At this particular point in time, I do not know what those changes will exactly be but I do know that some changes will need to take place as there is no guarantee that once Fr. Clyde does formally retire, we will be assigned someone to take his place. As much as you/I might hope that someone else will be able to just step in & take his place, that might not be the reality. The number of available priests is, I’m sure you’re aware, just not what it used to be, & while we might be able to find someone to be a regular weekend help, we also can not count on that help being available. So, the reality is that some changes, & they may not all be easy changes, might need to take place over time. These aren’t changes that I’ll be making in a vacuum, there are a number of people, including both of our Parish Pastoral Councils, that I need to discuss thoughts & plans with, but the reality is that changes will need to take place. My plan is to start these discussions ASAP, & we will likely see some changes taking place sooner rather than later. I think that it’s best to gradually work into these things rather than waiting & making all the changes at once the day after Fr. Clyde retires.

  The second change is the addition of a semipermanent Deacon. Deacon Dennis Conrad, who most recently was assigned at St. Ladislas out in Westlake. Deacon Dennis has retired & has offered to help us out, at both parishes, as he is able. Deacon Ken Hill at St. Vincent de Paul will be helping out there as he is able to, but health challenges have limited what he is available for/able to do. Deacon Ken & I have talked about everything & he is going to continue to help us out as he is able. Deacon Dennis is not a replacement for him, but rather an addition. He will occasionally preach at weekend Masses for me & will also help out with Funerals, Burials, Baptisms, etc. Similar to any changes that will happen with Fr. Clyde’s impending retirement, the exact nature of Deacon Dennis’ involvement is still being determined between him & me. More will come on both of these changes over time & as we figure more specifics out, but for now I wanted you to be aware of them so that nothing catches you by surprise.