“The Beat Goes On”

From Safari….

Sony and Cher’s song, “The Beat Goes On”, played over the din of the restaurant. The song reminds the hearer that fads come and go but life goes on --- little girls still break their hearts, and men still keep on marching off to war. don’t know if Sonny Bono (writer of the song), was familiar with chapter 3 of Ecclesiastes. Chapter 3 is often read at funerals --- There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens. A time to give birth, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant. A time to kill, and a time to heal….

This is my last bulletin article as pastor. Change is afoot for myself and our parishes. When I was ordained 44 years ago, six priests were ministering in our four parishes. As a newly ordained, I did not envision a day when only two priests would be ministering in our four parishes. Other changes are coming to our parishes as well. July has traditionally been the time priest assignments change.

We welcome Fr. Patrick to our parishes. This time it is different for me instead of moving unto another parish experience, I am moving in retirement.

Midst all this change, life goes on. Time stops for no one. a time to tear down, and a time to build. As Sonny Bono penned,

“The cars keep going faster all the time. Bums still cry, ‘Hey buddy, have you got a dime?”

I find hope in the words from Ecclesiastes chapter 3. There is a constant in the appointed time for everything. God is ever present in our life, in ups and downs. God isn’t watching from the distance but is intimately in our life. God is there to dance with us in our joy and is there to cry with us in our hurts.

The scriptures reassure us this week that God is for us. In Exodus we read, “Therefore, if you hearken to my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my special possession, dearer to me than all other people…” The St. Paul says in Romans, “But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.”

Trusting in God, we will be more than okay. The reduction in priests give us an opportunity to unlock the gifts of others to provide ministry to our communities. For all are sent out to plant and gather the harvest. With the Holy Spirit, I believe, our parishes can be even more vibrant, putting flesh onto God’s love.

I await to see what path the Holy Spirit guides me to, as I dive into retirement. God is good all the time. All the time God is good.

Thank you for letting me into your lives these past six years. It has been an honor to walk with you. Thank you for the witness of your faith which has strengthened my trust in God. Each of you is a treasure and I am blessed by your witness.

My retirement safari begins with a rented house near the St. Cloud Hospital. There will be time to pray and a time to dig in the soil. A time to be at the gym and a time to walk or bike along the river. A time to fill-in and a time to be a pew person.

Yes, the beat will go on and we will bump into each other. May God continue to flood your days with signs of his grace.

Fr. Ron