“We will do everything that the LORD has told us.”

My friends,

In the first reading of Mass this week we heard how Moses, the representative of God to the people of Israel, read them the commandments to which they responded, “We will do everything that the LORD has told us.” What a beautiful response of Faith the people of God show through these words. Under the new Covenant, similarly, the will of God for a people is expressed through the hierarchy of the Church, the spotless bride of Christ. Our successor to the Apostles is Archbishop Leonard Blair, who in special way governs the Church in this part of Connecticut.

Last week Archbishop Blair asked me to accept a new assignment, to the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Waterbury, effective July 1st. Fr. Cavanaugh and I both learned of this only last Tuesday and we were both very much caught by surprise, but as the Bishop of our diocese, we trust that Archbishop Blair knows the needs of the diocese and we willingly follow his directives. “We will do everything that the LORD has told us,” these words are the sign not of blind obedience, but of a loving relationship. Of a love for the Lord Jesus Christ and his bride the Church, a love for which I willingly laid down my life when I was ordained a priest just over two years ago. A love I sought to share in my short time here.

It will be difficult to leave St. James, and I will be forever grateful for the love and support you have shown me in this my first parish assignment. I’m not leaving until June 30, so there will be plenty of time to say goodbye between now and then, but I do ask that you keep me very much in your prayers, and know that you will be in mine.

In Christ,

Fr. Casey