![]() Sufficiently wide and level approach or gradually sloping ramp to door doorway wider than 32 inches, with automatic door or one that is easily opened with minimum pressure or usher assistance parking spaces large enough to accommodate vans with access aisle for discharge on either side of van parking spaces designated with proper signage.Ĭhurch Restroom: Facilities adapted for wheelchair users. Keeping that in mind can help you remember that, while getting a new pastor is a big change for you – it is an even bigger change for him.Church and Meeting Room: Church and meeting room are accessible with an accessible restroom.Ĭhurch: Accessible entrances, curb cuts, ramps and parking near accessible entrances for churches with parking lots. He moves to a new town and rectory, begins living with a different group of priests, and – while his overall vocation as a priest remains the same – he gets the new job of being pastor of his new parish (with its own unique challenges, etc.). When a priest moves to a new parish – he experiences all three of these life altering changes. Remember that this is a big change for him, too! Psychologists say that the three most disorienting changes in life are (1) changes where you live, (2) changing the people you live with, and (3) changing your job. Ask God to give him, you, and all the people of the parish every grace they need to make a smooth transition. Start praying for you new pastor, if you have not already done so. God pours out so many blessings to us in response to our prayers for each other. I have asked all of you to pray a Hail Mary for me every day since I arrived in this parish – and am so grateful that so many of you do so. Truth be told, there are still many faces I know – whose names I don’t – after 13 years. Believe me when I say that he would love to remember everyone’s name – but that will take a lot of time in a big parish like this. But please, whatever you do, don’t take it personally if he doesn’t remember your name the first time. ![]() Best to tell him your name – and maybe add if you are an usher, EM, lector, choir member, Knight of Columbus, Catholic Daughter, Columbiette, or life - long parishioner the first time or so. Don’t give him too much other information while he’s outside after Mass and there is a long line of other people waiting to introduce themselves to him, too. Tell him your name the first several times (at least!!) that you meet him. Remember that your new pastor will be meeting lots of people over his first weeks and months in our parish. ![]() Introduce yourself to him – lots of times. Focusing on the gifts and strengths of your new priest is a good way to see what blessings God may grant the parish through him. Anyone who has been in this parish for any length of time can think of many different priests with different gifts, strengths, and – to be honest – weaknesses. The fact that God calls such a diverse group of men to be priests tells me that God sees value in this diversity. If God wanted every priest to be the same, He would not call so many different men to the priesthood. Thus, it is realistic to expect at least some change when a new priest comes to a parish. Add to that the fact that every priest has a different personality and may choose different legitimate options when celebrating Mass and you can see what I mean. Just the fact that one priest is gone and another is here is a change in and of itself. Although priests are advised not to change anything when they first arrive in a new parish, my personal experience has taught me that is nearly impossible.
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