Today, as we celebrate the role of the Holy Family in our own faith, we’re also aware that we and at the end of 2017. As a parish family, we’ve gone through a lot of transition and adjustment in 2017 when it comes to those entrusted to serve. It gives us an opportunity to be grateful for the people who have given of themselves so that we can continue in their footsteps.
A Look Behind In October, we found ourselves saying prayers of good wishes and blessing for Fr. Bob Rizzo, our new Pastor Emeritus, who has begun his retirement—not from the priesthood, of course, but from the everyday duties of being a pastor. His farewell Mass is something so many are still talking about, because it was such a meaningful expression of his 40+ years of priestly service and the love that a faith community holds for him. The music still lingers. What a beautiful Mass.
Fr. Fred Licciardi, our Associate Pastor, also retired from everyday pastoral duties, but is still blessing us with his CAFÉ Adult Formation presentations. Like Fr. Rizzo, he will return every now and then to preside at Mass and to reconnect with the many people he touched while he was here. We miss his joy.
We also said goodbye to long-term staff members. Vito DeFrisco and Marcia Larson—former principal and assistant principal—who both left us to engage in new opportunities of service as they continue their passion for Catholic education.
And we miss Yvonne Cassa, who retired as our Director of Liturgy after 20+ years of giving her all to help our community worship and praise God with all our heart, soul, mind and body—everything we’ve got. She’s found a new home in Florida, but she left a strong foundation for us. St. Hubert is a community that truly prays well together.
A Look Ahead In the midst of the goodbyes, in true St. Hubert form, we warmly welcomed Kelly Bourrell to St. Hubert as the new principal of our school and Ed Magistrado as our new Music Director. We also were blessed to receive the good news that St. Hubert was named a Teaching Parish for three seminarians from Mundelein Seminary who are in formation to be future priests—Tom Heathershaw, Ryan Brady and
David Jameson. They have integrated well because you have been warm, welcoming, and encouraging. Thank you for making them feel at home.
As we navigate through the transitions, and as we get used to new faces and new people, we are committed to one thing: to building on the strong foundation that so many people serving this community have built for over 50 years. Our staff is committed, engaged, and passionate about serving St. Hubert to keep us moving ahead. Like you, they are very generous.
St. Hubert responds whenever there’s a call to help, especially those in need. And, there are hundreds of parishioners who share their talents and gifts throughout the year because within them is the desire to live the gospel that Jesus Christ came to share. There are literally hundreds of ways to participate and make a difference. So one of the goals of our Parish Pastoral Council this year is to find ways to celebrate them and make them known.
Christ is the one who leads us—he’s the center of the Church and our parish family, just like he is the bond of the Holy Family. He leads, we follow, and together we serve one another.
May God pour His blessing upon all our families as we enter 2018. Peace and good things,