Update: New Parish Assignment

Dear Parishioners,

Reassignment update: I am scheduled to be transfered to Grants Pass, home of St. Anne’s Church (www.stannechurch.com) and grade school with missions in Rogue River and Cave Junction. In addition, the parish is closely connect with St. Rita’s Retreat Center. While this assignment is unlikely to change, one never knows. There have been times when a last minute situation arose and a whole reshuffling of the cards was made. As promised, I will continue to let the community know developments as soon as possible. With any community, rumors can fly. So, I simply encourage you to follow my web site, (www.frbill.org) or my Twitter account (www.twitter/frbill66) for the most up-to-date information directly from me. I will, of course, continue to let everyone know via the parish bulletin and weekend Masses. However, there is a week’s lag time for those avenues. As a geek priest and in a desire for transparency, I will continue to use technology to keep connected in a timely way with as many people as possible.

I am quite overwhelmed at the magnitude of the new assignment, but trust that God will grant me the ability to do my best. I haven’t turned my heart much in the direction to the new parish, as I am still grieving the fact that I will be leaving St. Anthony’s. I am the kind of person who blooms where he is planted, and I trust that will be the same in Grants Pass. I’ve heard many wonderful things about the community. I ask that you pray for them as well as myself.

Regarding our new pastor, no decisions have been made. I imagine that it will take a while before it is settled since priests can change their minds late into the process. But, again, rest assured that I will let everyone know as soon as possible. Look towards the web links previously mentioned if you want to know the second it is public, or just keep your ears and eyes peeled at Mass and the parish bulletin. In the meanwhile, please keep our new pastor in your prayers. Pray for wisdom for those making the decisions at the Archdiocese. The personnel board is a wonderful group of people. I trust they will do the best they can.

Thank you all for your generous support. I am very moved by your shared sadness and prayers. But, may we all remember that God’s plans are bigger than our own. I’ve never been disappointed in God’s providence. Let us hope with confidence. Remember that as Lent begins to come to a close, the Church reminds us that we are ultimately Easter people, people who trust in God’s saving work through the resurrected Christ. With Jesus in our midst, we can have confidence in the plans about to unfold.

Blessings,

Fr. William Holtznger
Pastor

New Parish Assignment Coming

March 16, 2009

Dear Parishioners,

On the weekend of March 14/15th, I announced at all the Masses that I had been given a new parish assignment that will be effective July 1. Since then, I have received a wonderful outpouring of love from all of you. Thank you so very much. The seven years I have been your shepherd have been truly wonderful! I love being a priest. I love being your pastor. I love the community of St. Anthony’s. Leaving will be one of the hardest things I have ever done. So, believe me when I say that I did not make this decision lightly.

Some questions have come forward about why I am leaving. Some have wondered if there were things going on in the parish that motivated my decision. The simple answer is no. The parish is alive and well. We have a great staff. The ministries have wonderful leaders. The sense of community is strong, and the involvement level is high. I have agreed to leave because I have been asked to go, the need is real, and ultimately I am not my own (cf. 1 Cor 6:19b). If I had a sense that we were in the midst of some turbulent problems, I would have made the case to the Archdiocese that a change should be postponed. But, we're not. I trust that St. Anthony’s will be given a pastor who will lead the community well. I have no personal desire to go, for I am very happy and comfortable here. I love you all. You have taught me so much about how to be a loving pastor. Yet, my heart tells me that it is the right thing to do.

I have been preaching since my first day here about the need for conversion of heart and conviction to follow Jesus wherever that may take us. This message is also for me. If I do not heed the words of my own preaching, what kind of priest would I be? I would certainly not be a man of integrity. I would be akin to a “noisy going or a clanging symbol” (1 Cor 13:1). My calling as a preacher would ultimately profit me nothing.

I do not know much about the path that lies before me, but maybe that’s part of the deal. If I have been called to imitate the one who leads us all, then I must follow in his footsteps no matter what. I desire holiness and joy, and I know that the only way to holiness and joy is through the cross. The wonderful thing is that I am not alone. I know that you join me in that journey.

I am not one to leave things unfinished. I am not one to run when things get tough. I pledge to continue shepherding with zeal until my last day. St. Anthony’s is a vibrant parish and is doing well. Remember that I am not St. Anthony’s. You, the community, are. In the 3.5 months that remain for me here, let us continue our journey together. May we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. He is the rock of our salvation. He is our comforter. He is our all in all! Come Lord Jesus! (cf. Heb. 12:1-2, Ps. 95:1, Zech. 1:17, 1 Cor. 15:28, Rev. 22:20) Let us continue to celebrate his presence in our midst. He does not leave us alone.

Finally, please pray for me. Please pray for our staff. Please pray for our new, yet-to-be-chosen pastor. Pray that we will all continue on the road of conversion and conviction. May all we do, proclaim Christ crucified and risen.

Blessings in Christ,

Fr. William Holtzinger
Pastor

“I will call this to mind, as my reason to have hope: The favors of the LORD are not exhausted, his mercies are not spent; They are renewed each morning, so great is his faithfulness. My portion is the LORD, says my soul; therefore will I hope in him. (Lamentations 3:22-24)

101 Spiritual Acts in a Culture of Scarcity

Catholic Hope

In this current climate of financial distress, many people find themselves worried to the point of despair, struggling to cope with the darkness that appears around them, unable to see beyond the ugliness of their situation, or simply worried to the point of preoccupation. There is no doubt that the economy is very bad. Yet, as Catholic Christians we are people of hope. That hope is not a saccharine-fake-feel-good thing. It is real. It is firm. Our ultimate hope is not found in the politicians whom we've elected nor in the comfort our bank accounts give us. Our true hope is found in Jesus and his abiding love, forgiveness, and salvation which he offers for us all. That’s our hope.

Moral Responsibility and the Loaves and Fishes

Recently, one of our wise and more senior members of our presbyterate wrote a reflection in in his parish's bulletin about how we could be individually responsible for the economic problem as well as the solution. Click this link to read the reflection of Monsignor Greg Moys on page two of his parish's bulletin. For those who have lost their jobs, we need to offer assistance. For those who have not been directly effected, the mentality of scarcity which results in hoarding is moral problem which may need re-evaluation.

The miracle of the loaves and fish may offer some help here. First of all, this event is recorded in all of the Gospel, something which most certainly speaks of its importance. But, some biblical scholars have offered an alternative interpretation of the event which shows another lens which begs a response. This alternative interpretation sees the initial problem of the shortage of food as due to selfish hoarding. The crowd had plenty amongst themselves, but the perception of scarcity made them hoard their food. Jesus' blessing over the known bread and fish broke the chains of sin in the hearts of the people. Their stony hearts were changed from selfish absorption to an openness to the concerns of others. Again, this is not a mainstream interpretation, but may offer some thoughts about what kind of sensibility we should have as Christians.

A scarcity mentality can darken our joy and blind us to the abundance that is before us. We need to break through the chains that captivate us in selfishness. Certainly, God is the first one whom we need to seek. In addition, we can do some spiritual and concrete things which will remind us of the joy which God wants us to have. Therefore, I would like to offer my list of 101 concrete ways to combat our culture of scarcity in which we now live. All these things, while seemingly small or even trivial, can be very spiritual and concrete actions that can help us from day to day. I am not endorsing any particular companies nor attempting to advertise any businesses, but simply referencing local ideas that may serve to help you discern how you may be able to accomplish some of these ideas. Maybe you can create your own 101 ideas and act on them.

101 Spiritual Acts in a Culture of Scarcity

1. Pray.
2. Pray.
3. Pray some more.
4. Read the Gospel of Mark
5. Vacuum the floor
6. Concentrate on paying off a debt (start with the smallest)
7. Clean the work bench in the garage
8. Take someone out for dinner
9. Get rid of clutter around a specific area
10. Turn off the evening news on television

Click here for the rest of the list

Blessings in Christ,

Fr. William Holtzinger
Pastor