Thank you does not begin to express the gratitude that I hold in my heart for so many dear friends who worked so hard to create a wonderful celebration for all of us last Saturday night.  At the risk of missing anyone…special thanks go to Maddy, Bernadette, and Shirley—the “masterminds” for this event.  Deep thanks to everyone who worked to make the evening so special: Rich, Marlena, Jerry, Peggy, Paul, Pauline, Charlene, Shirley, Bonnie, Bobbi, Nora, Tim, Kathy, Magda, and Michelle.  Thank you to Deacon Dave for his friendship, support, opening prayer, and kind words.  Thanks to Mary Sue, who was a huge help with communication and logistics.  Thank you to everyone who attended.  Thank you to those of you who could not attend but sent cards and messages. Praise God and thank you!  I am humbled, grateful, and encouraged by your kindness, love, and support. 
 
Eleanor made me laugh with her comment about my “so called retirement.”  She is right. 
I am leaving my position at St. Michael Parish and REAP, not because I want to retire, but because I feel that God is calling me to something else.  That is certainly the desire to spend more time with family and friends.  But there is more “work” to be done.  There is more for all of us to do.  One of the projects that some of us are already working on is launching a national Kindness Movement.  The vision is to change the “tone” in this country: to encourage kindness and respect.  We will share more about that soon.  Perhaps the people of St. Michael can lead the way in gathering churches to stand up for kindness and to live the gospel, as Fr. Jim preached about last Sunday.
 
What has God placed in your heart?  Is there a problem or social issue that we could better solve as a faith community?  Could we help the people of Pocahontas realize their dream of opening a restaurant?  Could we end the food scarcity problem in Highland Park by working with St. Elizabeth Parish and other groups?   Could we partner with Full Pocket Farms to help create employment for people with disabilities?  I think this poem by Macrina Weiderkehr helps us to think about that.
   
 
Thank you again.  It has been a blessing to be part of this community and an honor to serve on staff.  I will be at all the Masses on Sunday with my Baking Club friends.  After that, I am off to North Carolina to visit family and then to New Jersey.  Do stop by for some delicious food and fellowship.  May God continue to bless you!