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My dear friends,
I have had the honor and privilege of serving the Our Lady of Consolation family for the past ten years as a volunteer and as a member of the staff team. Throughout my tenure, I have been blessed to meet some of my dearest friends and serve with the most incredible people I have ever met, you. The parishioners at Our Lady of Consolation are what make this parish so special.
In my role as the Director of Marketing and Communications I had the pleasure of working with many, many volunteers and ministry leaders. In each of you I have seen Christ’s hands and feet at work within our community. The generosity of time, talent and treasure that I have witnessed is inspiring.
My role with our parish has changed over the years, and especially during the past several months. The impact the pandemic had on our parish and our parishioners was profound and I hope I was able to help you remain as connected to your parish family as possible during our distance.
Sadly, I write this letter with an extremely heavy heart. Although the Our Lady community has become like family to me, I have been given an amazing opportunity to help make an impact at another parish.
Effective September 1, I have resigned my position with Our Lady of Consolation, and I have accepted the position of Stewardship Coordinator at St. Joseph Parish in Pewamo. This move allows me to move closer to my family in my hometown of Ionia.
Although I am excited for this new opportunity and to be closer to my family, it comes with a great deal of sadness in leaving Our Lady. As I walk through the hallways and offices, I am overwhelmed with memories and emotions, from Vacation Bible School decorating parties, to youth group retreats, to OLCEF auction planning, meetings with builders and architects, strolling the ministry fair, sharing laughs and dreams at council meetings and so many more. Our Lady of Consolation became my second home, and you all became my second family.
I can never thank you enough for each time you said ‘yes’ to my request to help and to serve. Each of your ‘yeses’ strengthened me and allowed me to grow beside you. You have all taught me so much that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.
As I make my preparations for my departure, I am confident that I am leaving Our Lady of Consolation in the perfect hands. As parishioners, this is your parish, and you have every gift ever needed to make Our Lady an even greater success and even more impacting parish than I could have ever imagined.
What is God calling you to do? Where is God calling you lead? In what ways are you being asked to step up and serve our family?
God may be calling me to another parish home, but I know in my heart that he would only do so if He felt that you already had everything you need to succeed in His plans here at Our Lady.
So, for one final time, words that I am typing are going to challenge you, each and every parishioner, What gifts has God given you? How are you going to use those gifts for HIS WILL on earth?
Have you been blessed financially? Could you support the parish in a greater capacity than last year?
Have you been blessed with the gift of organization and planning? Could you serve on a council or event team?
Have you been blessed with the ability to share the faith and entertain? Maybe you are being called to serve as a catechist or small group leader.
I don’t know the individual gifts and talents that God has given every person, but I do know that we all have the ability to do more, serve more, love more, and be a better disciple. That is what we are called to do.
Although I am incredibly nervous, I am answering the call I received. Are you ready to say, “Yes, Lord, I’m ready!”
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