First, I want to thank all the people at St. Michael for your patience, as I help out at our twinned Appalachian parish.  They have really appreciated my being with them and your generosity in “sharing” me with them.  I hope that it will continue to bring our parishes closer together!
 
Second, our parish staff is being reorganized, and I will go more into that with you in a subsequent letter.  One of the reasons for this reorganization is that Karen Hannon will be retiring in the middle of August.  She will be dearly missed by many of us in the parish.  She has ministered in our parish for over 16 years.  She served as a volunteer in many areas, and, then, eight years ago she joined our staff as coordinator for Human Concerns ministries.
 
Her Christ-rooted care for people has always been foremost in what she has done.  Through R.E.A.P. she has sought to serve those with disabilities – something always close to our heart here at St. Michael parish.  Our support of the Haiti ministry has continued and the ministry to our twinned Appalachian parish has also blossomed.  During her tenure, we have also seen the establishment of our local conference of the Saint Vincent de Paul Society.
 
Her institutional knowledge and connections have been a constant help to so many.  But what we will miss the most is her abiding passion for those in need.  I have asked her to take this spot sometime in the weeks ahead to share last thoughts with us. 
 
Thank you, Karen, for sharing your many gifts with us!