A Word from Your Pastor - February 9

Dear Parishioners:

As I announced at the weekend Masses last week, Bishop Campbell has appointed me to a second six-year term as Pastor of St. Timothy Church.  The letter, dated January 29, 2013, and duly notarized by the Chancellor of the Diocese of Columbus, reads as follows:

Dear Father Hayes,

I appreciate your getting back to me on the matter of your appointment to a second term as Pastor of St. Timothy Church in Columbus. I am pleased to know that you will want to stay for another six-year term.

Since the assignment seems to be a good one for both yourself and the parish, I am happy to re-appoint you to a second six-year term as Pastor of St. Timothy Church in Columbus.

Wishing you and your parish all the best, I remain,

Sincerely yours in Christ,

[Signed]  +F.F. Campbell

Most Reverend Frederick F. Campbell, D.D., Ph.D.
Bishop of Columbus

This means that we will be together as Pastor and Parish until 2020.  The current policy of the Diocese of Columbus is a maximum of two terms for Pastors.  I am grateful to know that we have this time to continue growing together in the Lord. 

We have celebrated and experienced much together in the past 5-1/2 years.  Some items of note are:

• the welcome of Deacon Marion Smithberger into diaconal ministry in the parish in 2008,
• the celebration of the Golden Jubilee of the Parish in 2011-2012,
• the Golden Jubilee of St. Timothy School (ongoing) in the present academic year 2013-2014,
• the establishment of an Annual Blue Mass, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus Council 14345, at which Bishop Campbell presided in the past few years,
• the creation of a Rosary Prayer Garden (dedicated at the celebration of the parish Jubilee),
• two Pilgrimages which included a number of members of the parish (one in 2010, to the Holy Land, and one in 2011, in the Footsteps of our Patron St. Timothy to his see city of Ephesus, and other locations in Turkey and in Greece),
• collaboration with the Pontifical College Josephinum in service of the New Evangelization by creating an apostolic work program which includes visitation of homes in our neighborhood,
• the purchase of a new organ for the church and upgrading of the sound system,
• and the retirement of the parish debt to the Diocese for the building project undertaken in 2000. 

We look forward to moving ahead with the full implementation of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd in the parish and school, including the establishment of a Parish Catechetical Center.  Other initiatives to promote the New Evangelization are also in prospect.

Let’s continue to listen for the voice of the Good Shepherd and to follow Him where He leads.