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December 14, 2019
Dear Friends in Christ,
This past October, I was officially approved for a sabbatical by Archbishop Hebda. As I prepare to depart Christmas Day for Texas, I wanted to update you on a number of items related to the life of our parish, my sabbatical schedule and focus, and my personal prayers for all you during my time away. My sabbatical will take place from the Feast of the Epiphany, January 6 – Easter Sunday, April 12, 2020. Most of my sabbatical will take place in Kendalia, Texas which is located in the Texas hill country, outside of San Antonio. I will also spend some time in Rome prior to the arrival of the pilgrims, who will arrive in Rome the Tuesday after Easter.
I will return to Our Lady of Lourdes the weekend of April 25-26. The focus of my sabbatical will be research and writing in the area of restorative justice and healing in response to the clergy abuse crisis. My intent is to begin writing a book entitled, “Harm and Healing in the Catholic Church: A Roadmap to Restoration.” Having served both as delegate for safe environment in an Archdiocese that was described as ground zero and now serving in the area of restorative justice and healing, I hope to offer a perspective borne of unique experience that may be helpful for the broader Church at this time of challenge.
I ask for your prayers that the sabbatical would be fruitful and consistent with God’s will. For your extroverted pastor, the prospect of a writing project this size, is a more than a bit daunting. I will also be intentional during this time about rest and restoration.
What is clear to me as I prepare to depart, is that Our Lady of Lourdes is a vibrant and flourishing parish that benefits from a solid foundation of faith and commitment to excellence. One cannot help but see this commitment to excellence - for Christ - in so many areas: sacred music and liturgy; our beautiful church and parish grounds; outstanding parish communications; generous charitable outreach; dynamic fellowship; vibrant young adult ministry; and a vital adult faith formation program.
In addition, the parish has made significant strides in the areas of administration, finances, and building and grounds under the able leadership of Mary Asp, our Parish Administrator and Chief of Operations. In short, the parish is on very solid footing. During my sabbatical, I will remain in contact with Mary with regard to the life of the parish. Mary will also work with Fr. Bryce Evans and other staff members with regard to the pastoral and spiritual life of the parish as we continue to attend to the needs of our parishioners. The leadership team of Our Lady of Lourdes, which includes Mary, Julie Craven, Fr. Evans, our parish trustees, and parish council chair, boasts years of experience in the areas of law, medicine, business, finances, parish administration, pastoral care, and communications.
Since August, I have met three times with our newly minted parish council, under the leadership of parish council chair, Michael Rainville. The parish council is comprised of diverse, talented, and faith-filled parishioners who will help advise me as pastor on the best pastoral course for Lourdes. During my absence, they will formulate and distribute a survey to parishioners which will aid the council, the parish, and me in strategic planning and in the drafting of a new parish mission statement. Stay tuned!
In these weeks leading up to my sabbatical, I have been ramping up my prayers to the patron saint of our parish, Our Lady of Lourdes - for her maternal care and intercession for all of you and your families during my time away. As patron, this is her parish and she will continue to intercede for our wellbeing.
When I see you again, the snows of winter, hopefully, will have given way to the green of spring and the warm light of our risen Lord. Until then, let us hold each other close in prayer and in spiritual fellowship as we journey together as disciples of Christ. And never forget, God loves you very much!
Sincerely in Christ,
Rev. Daniel Griffith