Late June and early July typically finds most people settling in to a slightly slower schedule – kids are out of school, vacations are planned and taken and days stretch out affording more time to sit, relax or engage in our favorite activities. 

But in many parish and school communities throughout the Diocese of Trenton, including the Chancery in Lawrenceville, these past few weeks have been spent preparing for and acting upon a number of changes. From the parish priests who have been reassigned, to the principals and other administrators leaving their school assignments, and even the closing of one school – Mother Teresa Regional in Atlantic Highlands – changes are a way of life for this time of year.

In an effort to maintain a solid financial footing, some parishes and schools have also embarked on a reduction in force initiative. The Chancery alone saw the departure of more than a dozen staff members, most of whom participated in a voluntary separation program. 

Like every aspect of our lives, change is never easy.  In the communities where we work, worship and educate our children, change is particularly hard to handle.  We will miss the people whom we have come to know, like, trust and become inspired by.  At times, some may even become angry because Father X was “taken” from them and the Bishop has given them “Father Y” who is very different and perhaps not as friendly (or so we might think).

This disappointment and reluctance sometimes result in angry letters, emails and calls. One recent email in which the writer demanded a reversal of the Bishop’s decision was sent about a priest and a parish outside this diocese; other correspondence plead their priests cases to the Chancery, as if the transfers are enacted to punish Father for somehow not towing the line rather than a necessary pastoral move for the good of the entire diocesan community. 

A few years ago, in anticipation of the stream of letters and emails that come in at this time, Bishop O’Connell issued a message about priest changes.  In it, he said:  The assignment of pastors and priests to parishes is not based upon feelings or the relative popularity of an individual priest or some opinion poll or vote.  Pastors and priests are kept in an assignment or are transferred to a different assignment when there is a compelling pastoral need or other circumstance to do so.  These are not light-hearted or arbitrary decisions made by the bishop.  And, often enough, one change made has a domino effect, requiring other changes or replacements.  We do not have an unlimited pool of available priest personnel which is why we all need to pray for vocations. (To read the full statement, go to TrentonMonitor.com and click on FROM THE BISHOP)

While getting angry or disappointed is surely human nature, what we might try to do is be thankful to God for the gift of knowing the people who have come into our lives and changed it for the better. We can take stock of the many things they have contributed to our community, the Church, and our ministry.  We could think about being happy for the next parish or school or place of work whose people will benefit from the priests, educators and co-workers to whom we have had to say good-bye.

And most of all, we might want to wish these good people well as they leave our midst -- May they all find fulfillment and purpose in their new homes, ministries, assignments.