Last week at all the
parish Masses on Divine Mercy Sunday, Fr. Bill Faustner announced his
retirement from active priestly ministry, effective March 31, 2018. Fr. Bill reached the age of 70 in January,
the usual retirement age for priests in the Diocese of Columbus. He was most recently active as chaplain to
several area hospitals, with residence at St. Timothy. We are grateful to him for the assistance he
offered in the parish during the past 8 years of residence.
Fr. Bill let us know
that he is moving into what he called “the St. Timothy Annex,” that is, the
Forum at Knightsbridge. Our diocese does
not have a retirement home for priests, so each priest is free to find his own
place to live. Knowing that many of our
parishioners are happy at the Forum – and that many Catholics at the Forum have
found St. Timothy as a welcoming place for Mass on the weekends – Fr. Bill knew
he would find a welcoming community there.
He will be among the youngest residents there and he has maintained his
dark hair color (unlike your Pastor!), so it will be a place where he can feel
young again.
As he described the
upcoming move, Fr. Bill showed a sense of humor and got a laugh at all the
Masses when he explained that his new residence will be on the first floor and
that it has a straight shot to the dining room.
He promises that he will be around to assist with Masses and that he
will continue to attend all the St. Timothy social events. After 40+ years of ministry in the Diocese of
Columbus, he is certainly ready for a rest.
We pray that he will experience the next phase of his journey as truly
“Golden Years.”
The celebration of
Divine Mercy Sunday last weekend was a real joy. So many came forward for Anointing of the
Sick at all the Masses and the Divine Mercy Devotion was well attended in the
afternoon. God’s Love and Mercy were
poured out in abundance.
May we continue our
Easter journey with joy. Remember that
the Easter Season lasts a full 50 days, all the way to Pentecost.
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