A MESSAGE FROM FATHER JOHN - If you place a baseball bat in my hand I would be able to hit pretty good at the batting cages. Put me in front of a good pitcher of even High School skill level, I would most likely strike out. However put that same bat in the hands of Trea Turner or Nick Castellanos from the Phillies and they could hit homeruns where I would most likely strike out. If you put a football in my hands, I could have a decent catch with you. However, under pressure in the Super Bowl you want the football in the hands of Jalen Hurts. I am an ok cook and can make a few things really well with a recipe. However those same ingredients, pots and pans, knives and spoons in the hands of Gordon Ramsay will make a masterpiece.

So many times in in our lives we think that we are not good enough, talented enough, or smart enough. In the Gospel we have heard the disciples claim they ONLY have five loaves and two fish. They know they don’t have enough. But in the hands of Jesus those five loaves and two fish became more than enough to feed over five thousand men not counting the women and children. When we place ourselves, our hearts and minds, our gifts and talents in the hands of Jesus they are transformed and become more than enough, they become a masterpiece.

When I came to this Parish I did not know if I would be enough. I was never a Pastor before and wondering if I could do the job. I saw the need to build up the community life and bring back unity and vitality to a parish with a troubled but remarkable history. I put myself, this Parish, and my role as Pastor in His hands. From the beginning I was so impressed how parishioners responded so positively to new ideas, to starting new traditions and reviving others, to working together to build the community. There are limitless beautiful moments to list from my short time here that I will hold dear in my heart. I have written and deleted several lists that just got way too long. The people of Bernie’s have helped me to grow in my own faith and relationship with God and the Church, my understanding of the priesthood and what it means to be a Pastor. I thank you for working with me, for learning with me, for praying with me, for laughing with me, for growing with me. My time as Pastor has not been perfect and I made my share of mistakes. However as I look back, knowing that it has all been in God’s hands, I can see that for me, my time here at St. Bernadette’s has been a masterpiece.