From the Pastor’s desk— July 13, 2025

Dear Parishioners,

I’m home! Thank you all for your patience with my long absence. The Camino was a beautiful experience that I can already feel has affected me for the better. I want to share one special moment. After walking 190 miles in 15 days with hurting feet through rain and heat, we arrived in Santiago de Compostella on July 1. That’s not only the anniversary of my appointment as Parish Administrator here at Sacred Heart, but it’s the very day that my new appointment now as Pastor of Sacred Heart began. I didn’t realize before that the day the Camino ended would be a day for a fresh start indeed. I went that evening of July 1 into the adoration chapel and offered up all of your written petitions that I carried in a small bag the whole way. I prayed that God would bless our parish, hear our prayers, and make me a good pastor for your sake. By God’s design I was in that same adoration chapel in 2011 when I visited for a day on a tour bus while a summer student in Spain. At that time, I was applying for seminary and praying that God would guide me in my vocation. In 6 years, he made me a priest and now I’m already 8 years in. I thanked Him for everything He’s done for me in that time. I had hoped the Camino would send me home ready for a fresh start. Now that I’m back, I feel that’s just what I got.

         

           

 

             

  

Fr. Joseph