The Idea of coming to a new place was a little scary for me. I have to say that in the beginning I was really scared but soon enough all my fears disappeared. Ever since the very first day I came to St. Francis I felt very welcomed. The people at each Mass and all the groups and organization welcomed me in a way that I could not have expected. Soon after I started I began to work with everyone and visit the people of the parish. I had the opportunity to visit each one of the groups and also be involved in special occasions and functions in Saint Francis School. Working with the Altar Servers that came from St. Francis, Roosevelt, Lincoln, Grant and the Ridgefield Park High School has given me the opportunity to see the future of St. Francis Church. I am honored to have been involved in shaping and forming these wonderful children.
Another experience in the parish that has given me a lot of satisfaction has been establishing the Spanish community. I remember at the first interview with Fr. Gene, he told me that one of the concerns he discussed with the dioceses when requesting another priest was that the priest should speak Spanish. He wanted to reach out to the Spanish population of Ridgefield Park. I was chosen and welcomed by the many Hispanics like me. They had expressed to me their desire of having a Spanish Mass. In March2008, we established the Hispanic Apostolate of St. Francis, soon after the Charismatic Prayer Group was formed. We have made many friends and memories within the Hispanic community. It is something that will keep going for many years.
You might be wondering why I am writing about myself in the column this week. The reason is that last week I received a letter from the Clergy Personnel, in which Archbishop John Joseph Myers informed me of my new assignment. He is going to assign me as the parochial vicar of the Sacred Heart Cathedral of Newark. This reassignment came as a surprise to me. He suggested I would do well to work along side of Auxiliary Bishop Manuel A. Cruz, who recently was assigned the New Pastor of the Sacred Heart Cathedral. There are some other reasons behind this reassignment; the first is an increase in the Spanish population at the Cathedral, and also there are some Nuns (Monjas Del Sagrado Corazon) who are also from my country (D. R.). I have known them for many years now, and they have been at the Cathedral for more than 15 year. One of them (Sr. Ana Josepha) has been working with the Hispanic Apostolate of the Sacred Heart cathedral, and we will work together with her and the rest of the congriation.Therefore this change has nothing to do with any particular situation or any person here in the parish of St. Francis. I was asked to make a change in my status and I could not say no.
When I was asked to consider the possibility of a change, I expressed my sentiments and feelings regarding St. Francis Church. I feel that after two and a half years I am just starting to really know the people. I feel very comfortable here, and I also feel that I am just stepping on the grounds of St. Francis and that I have a long way to go, and so much more to learn. I expressed my feelings, but I knew that I had to do whatever the Archbishop asked me to do. He knows what the best is for the Archdiocese. My assignment at the Cathedral is effective on June 16, 2010; in other words next month.
The last thing I want to say is that it seems like it has been a long time since I came to St. Francis to live among you but I really feel like it was yesterday. I will miss all of you very much. I do want you to know that the distance which is going to separate us is just 20 minutes! I am going to be at the Cathedral of Newark; a place that is an attraction because of its beauty. Every Christian should know and see their mother Church. I will be there and waiting for you to come see me, so I can give you a tour Of the Cathedral. God Bless you my friends, See you soon!
