“You better put that in your classroom, even if you teach in a secular school.” “Didn’t you say never to put anything nice in your classroom? After 6 years of high schoolers breaking things in yours?” “...put it behind your desk.” —One of the last face to face conversations I had with my former boss before he left for a 30 day silent retreat and a new assignment. My heart is heavy because of all the renewal and life he brought to my parish, laughter to my grieving family, and wisdom wrapped up in stress headaches to me as his assistant. He wants me to be a teacher more than I do sometimes, and I couldn’t be more grateful for that extra push. Although I am sad because my parish is losing a fantastic pastor, I’m optimistic about his future and the future of our church. The lives you’ve touched and inspired while you were here will go far beyond your tenure as Pastor. I’m grateful to be one of the 100,000 lives touched by the vocation of one single tol, Italian, priest. @fatherdarrin #phoenixdiocese #jpii #futureteacher #priesthood (at Tempe, Arizona)
