Note From The Pastor
 
Things were in God’s plan which I had not planned at all. I am coming to the living faith and conviction that – from God’s point of view – there is no chance and that the whole of my life, down to every detail, has been mapped out in God’s divine providence and makes complete and perfect sense in God’s all-seeing eyes.
~ St. Theresa Benedicta (Edith Stein) 
 
Thinking back twelve months to March 14, 2020, I could not have imagined what the coming weeks and months would bring.  The pandemic was just beginning to have local impacts. It was just days before Governor Holcomb announced a stay-at-home order for all Hoosiers.  The prior weekend I announced I would be leaving as pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus in Cicero to become pastor of St. Ann and the Cathedral in Lafayette.  It was hard to leave, but I began imaging and planning for life in a new city and a new parish.  Then came the shutdown.  Later, in late July, my assignment changed, and I was to serve as pastor of our Pastorate – Holy Spirit and St. John Vianney parishes.  Now, Fr. Arbuckle is being reassigned.  I could not have foreseen the shutdown, the extended pandemic, the change of assignment, and the change within our group of priests.  None of these were part of my plan. They were, however, in God’s plan. 
 
Regarding Fr. Arbuckle, I want to emphasize that the timing of this move is due to an urgent need.  Since last August, our diocese has experienced the loss of two priests who were in full-time ministry.  One who died unexpectedly and the other had to discontinue ministry for health reasons.  This has created the pressing need for a priest to assist in another pastorate.  Fr. Arbuckle offered to serve in this position some months ago.  Through Fr. Arbuckle’s willingness, God is providing for the Catholics in the four parishes in Jay and Randolph counties, as well as their pastor Fr. Peter Logsdon. God provides.  That is what is meant by “God’s divine providence.”
 
As God has provided for them, God will also provide for us.  Fr. Derek Aaron, who is in residence in our Pastorate, along with priests in non-parish assignments and retired priests, will assist with the sacramental needs of our parishes in the next three months.  We are expecting another associate pastor to be assigned this summer.  You will see Fr. Phil Bowers helping more at Holy Spirit.  You may see some priests from the Chancery at St. John Vianney or Holy Spirit as well.
 
For all of us, this last year has been filled with the unexpected.   It has been a time of letting go of our plans. We have all experienced many surprises, challenges, and losses.  I know that many of us have also experienced many graces, growth and spiritual gains.  That is how God works.  He is always inviting us to take a step closer to Him and to discover in His plan, grace and a fuller, more abundant plan for our lives even in the midst of surprise, loss, or pain.  It takes faith and trust in God to see His plan unfolding in our experiences, especially when God’s plans are not part of our own.  We have to try and see things from God’s point of view.  That is seeing with the eyes of faith.
 
As we continue through Lent, a time of spiritual renewal, I invite us all (especially myself) to lean on God and trust He will provide.  How has God provided for you during this pandemic?  How has God provided for you thus far this Lent?  Take time to reflect on all God has provided.  Thank Him.   Also, please pray for our priests and for more vocations to the priesthood for our diocese.  Pray in faith, lean upon God.  Trust God will provide.
 
“And rest assured, my dear daughters, if you lean with all your weight upon Providence, you will find yourself well supported.”
~ St. Mother Theodore Guerin, in a letter to her religious sisters, the Sisters of Providence.
 
Yours in Christ,