Farewell - Church of The Virgin Mary

With a heart full of gratitude, I write this letter to say goodbye. After more than seventeen years of pastoral work, the time has come for me to take my leave of this beloved parish. It is never easy to say goodbye to those who have become spiritual family.

During my time here, you have welcomed me with open arms. We have shared many moments of joy, sorrow, faith and laughter. I will always remember your commitment, your readiness to help and to serve, your kindness, your support, your generosity and your strong love for the Lord and His Church.

Together, we celebrated the sacraments, we prayed and we organized the wonderful events. I have learned so much from you, and I thank God for the blessing of being your priest. To each and every one of you I offer my gratitude, appreciation and love. Serving you was a gift beyond words.

Please forgive me if I have failed you in any way or if I was not able to meet all your expectations. I tried my best to serve you with a humble and sincere heart.

I want also to express my deepest gratitude for the incredible farewell celebration you organized. It truly meant the world to me. The kind words, thoughtful gestures, the T-Shirts, the gifts, the warm and shared memories, the smiles and the tears made it an unforgettable farewell.

I feel so blessed to have been a pastor for such a supportive, caring and loving parish. Thank you for making my departure so special and for the lasting memories I’ll carry with me.

Though I am leaving, I carry you all in my prayers. I ask you also to pray for me as I begin a new journey. May our good and loving God continue to guide and bless this parish and each one of you.

With love and prayer,