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Message by Father Dean McFalls for St. Mary’s Parishioners Dear Friends, I wish to express my profound sorrow that, beginning today, I will no longer be serving as your pastor. I have been blessed by your support and participation during the past five years. However, I have been granted a leave of absence from active ministry in the priesthood, and thus have also resigned as pastor of St. Mary’s. I would have remained longer, at least until our parish festival concludes, but circumstances did not allow this to be. A child will soon be born, and I am the baby’s father. I know this comes as a shock to you, and to many a disappointment. I assume full responsibility for my actions and will do all that I can so that my child receives the care and love that he deserves. Once he was conceived, I had no other option, as a Christian and a priest, than to do everything possible that he might have life, and have it to the full. As St. Paul told the Romans: “God makes all things work together for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his decree,” and though the Lord never decreed that I sin, he does command that all life be respected and nurtured. I apologize sincerely to each and every one of you for any grief, hurt, or sense of abandonment that you may experience. Please welcome the priest who has come to take my place with generous hearts. Know that I will miss you deeply, and that you will always be carried in my heart. Fr. Dean Queridos amigos, quiero expresar mi profunda tristeza de que, desde hoy, ya no serviré aquí como tu pastor. Durante los últimos cinco años, he sido muy bendecido por su apoyo y participación. Sin embargo, he pedido del Obispo un descanso de mi ministerio sacerdotal. Por consequecia, he renunciado mi papel como pastor de Santa María. Yo habría permanecido hasta que se termine el festival de la parroquia, pero las circunstancias no lo per-mitieron. La razón es que ya pronto va a nacer un niño, y yo soy el padre. Se que esta noticia provocará para ustedes un choque y talvez desánimo. Yo asumo la responsibilidad por mis acciones y har é todo lo posible para que este niño reciba todo el cuidado y cariño que merece. Una vez concibi-da la criatura, no me dejó otra opción cristiano, y como sacerdote, fuera de asegurar que tenga vida, y que la tenga en abundancia. Como dijo San Pablo a los Romanos: “Dios dispone todas las cosas para bien de los que lo aman, a quienes él ha llamado según su proprio designio.” Aunque no era el “designio” de Dios que yo peque, sin embargo él nos ordena de respetar y nutrir a cada vida humana. Les pido perdón a cado uno de ustedes, y les ruego que reciban el sacerdote que ha tomado mi lugar con corazón gene-roso. Los extrañaré mucho, siempre estarán guardados en mi corazón. Fr. Dean
