Dear Friends, June 11, 2006

It’s hard to believe the day has arrived, RETIREMENT. It was always something so far

in the future. But I assure you, THE ADVENTURE CONTINUES! As long as I am able and God

permits, I will joyfully serve you, God’s people, in a somewhat limited ministry.

As I look back, The Adventure began in God’s intention leading to birth on December

5, 1934 in my home at 602 North Front Street, Steelton, PA. I had wonderful faith-filled

parents who shared their lives with me and my three sisters, Pauline, now in heaven; Ann

and Fran. I know they sacrificed much in providing for me a Catholic grammar and high

school education, a year at Villanova University and then on to the Seminary, culminating in

my Ordination to the Priesthood in May, 1961.

My priesthood adventure included being a Parochial Vicar for about five years, and

then teaching about 14 years in the Religion Department at Holy Spirit High School in

Absecon, NJ. I loved teaching all those young men and women and trying to instill in them a

love for God and their brothers and sisters in the human family. Then I knew in my heart it

was time to move on and I was fortunate to Pastor in three wonderful parishes: Assumption

in Pomona, St. Bridget in Glassboro and here at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Absecon.

The Adventure has been my involvement in and your welcoming me into your lives.

My joy in priestly ministry can be no better explained than what is written by Lacordaire: “To

live in the midst of the world without wishing its pleasures; To be a member of each family,

yet belonging to none; To share all sufferings; To penetrate all secrets; To heal all wounds; to

go from people to God and offer Him their prayers; To return from God to people to bring

pardon and hope; To have a heart of fire for charity and a heart of bronze for chastity; To

teach and to pardon, console and bless always – What a glorious Life! And it is yours, O

Priest of Jesus Christ!”

How poetic, but true. As I look back on so many of the lives I have touched, be

assured that you have touched my life in more ways than you know. Your sacrifices and

efforts to live faith-filled lives of service have only inspired and encouraged me along the

journey. I have tried to live what we read in Matt. 20:28: “The Son of Man who came not to

be served… but to serve and to give his life for the ransom of many.” If I have failed you in

any way, I ask both God’s forgiveness and yours.

I will be living with my brother priests in the Retirement Residence in Cherry Hill, NJ.

My door is always open and I welcome your visits and calls. Happily, I trust our paths will

cross often. With the conviction that God is always with us as we journey forward in the

Adventure of life, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you have been and will

continue to be as God’s very special people. I ask for your prayers and assure you of mine.

May the peace of Christ remain always in our hearts, remembering: “This is what the Lord

asks of you: only this, to act justly, to love tenderly and to walk humbly with your God.”

Micah 6:8. THE ADVENTURE CONTINUES!

Fr. Bob