Letter Of Gratitude From Br. James To Each of You For All That You Do!
Thursday, December 1, 2011 at 09:54AM My Dear Friends,
Working on all of the details and preparations, watching you prepare spiritually seeing your great enthusiasm and spirit, observing the phenomenal role that Marianne Sheridan played in your readying for Madrid , and coordinating the pilgrimage was truly a blessing. There were challenges and difficulties but like the apostles you looked beyond all that to Jesus. Seeing you, or meeting you after Madrid, or hearing the stories and viewing the pictures brought me great joy and hope. Praise be to Jesus for the blessings that WYD has brought to you individually and to the Church. My regret was not being there to share it with you but there were needs here that had to be tended to before the colleges opened.
God has been good to me throughout the years. Each of the ministries in which I have served, have enriched me and broadened my experience of God’s people. Each ministry has been a blessing and privilege as I have tried to live out two quotes from St. Francis:
“The Gospel is my life” and “Preach often, when necessary, use words.”
It has been a privilege and a blessing to serve Bishop Murphy on his Cabinet as Secretary for New Evangelization and as Co-Vicar for Religious. As you know I asked Bishop Murphy to leave the Office of New Evangelization but continue as Co-Vicar for Religious. My hope is to have more time for direct ministry and less administrative and financial management. I don’t need titles, been there, done that- the only title I need is Brother and to have the opportunity to serve others.
You are the future and present of our Church and Diocese. Oftentimes, I was most comfortable when I was able to be with you at your gatherings, liturgies, meetings or chance encounters at different diocesan events. It has been a special blessing serving you, sharing with you and learning from you. Know that anything I can ever do to affirm you, assist you, or just be there for you, all you need do is ask. I am just moving back to the fifth floor to continue as Co- Vicar for Religious, a ministry that I love. I will be exploring opportunities for direct service. I have always loved working with young people and if there are needs there or wherever my superior or the Church needs me- I will follow Jesus. Let us pray for one another.
I cherish the time we spent together and want you to know that I am always here for you. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Know that if you ever need a “Brother,” I am here for you, just email jmcvosf@aol.com
or call (718) 986-6675. God Bless and Keep Smiling! In the service of a loving God may we belong more deeply,
Your brother,
Brother James, OSF
