Thank you, Fr Ron!

I am honored to take this opportunity to repeat the thanks of so many, many people in our ACC and beyond to Fr. Ron for his generous, broad, and dedicated service over the years of his public ministry in these parishes and in many other places besides.

I have been inspired by Fr. Ron’s leadership and administrative skill and insight, his passion for the essentials of the Gospel message of Jesus, his exceptional ability to listen, observe, and take in various perspectives, and of course his sense of humor. His characteristic generosity was displayed in an unmistakable way in extending his service for another year past his planned retirement.

I am also confident that you will embrace Fr. Patrick’s priestly ministry as well. He has a love for Scripture and liturgy, for teaching and learning about the spiritual life, for engaging with young people in school, faith formation, and youth ministry, and for serving all God’s people with that same Gospel message.

Something like snowflakes and woodgrain, no two priests are alike. Yet we know that Jesus chose each one of us in his own wisdom and purpose to be servant leaders, give voice to his most life-changing words in the Gospel and in the sacraments, and to imitate his selfless love within our human limitations. Please continue to pray for Fr. Ron in this transition to a new way of ministry in retirement, and welcome Fr. Patrick with your warmth, faith, and joy that he has said Yes to God in priesthood, and God has said Yes to him.

In gratitude…

Thank you for the well wishes, cards, and gifts

as I move into retirement. I am touched by

your kind words, thoughtfulness, and

generosity. It has been an honor to minister

with you in our One in Christ parishes. I await

to see where the Spirit leads me in this safari called retirement.

My base camp is:

1009 7 th Ave N

St. Cloud, MN 56303

Again thank you for your inspirational witnessing to God’s faithfulness. I am sure our paths will cross in the likely and unlikely places. I will hold you all in prayer. Fr. Ron

Engage

Captain Jean-Luc Picard of Star Trek fame would often give the order “engage” as he and the crew set off to their next adventure. Our pastors Fr. Tom and Fr. Patrick invite us to engage. Our One in Christ ACC continues the pilgrimage of life with a new look. Our journey began July 1, 2020 with Fr. Tom, myself, and sacramental minister Fr. Doug Liebsch. The next year Fr. Doug was no longer assigned to our ACC. We turned to our Senior Pastors (retired) to assist with our spiritual needs. Fathers, Tim Baltes, Geno Doyle, Tom Olson, Ralph Zimmerman rotated among our parishes for the past five years. We thank them for offering their perspectives on faith.

We have been blessed by their presence. In subsequent years, we thank Fathers Steve Binsfeld and Ron Dockendorf for joining the rotation an enriching our lives.

THANK YOU FATHERS TIM, GENO, TOM, RALPH, STEVE, and RON FOR A MINISTRY WELL DONE! YOU

WILL BE MISSED.