Our Lady of Lourdes Church and School

I’m interrupting our reading of the Papal Exhortation on Love in the Family this week, as it will be some time before I write another column in this place. As most of you are aware, I will be taking leave of you all for a six-month sabbatical.

In the dictionary, sabbatical is defined as “any extended period of leave from one's customary work, especially for rest, to acquire new skills or training, etc.” The  Archdiocese of Los Angeles policy defines it in this way: “A sabbatical for a priest is an extended period of time away from his normal duties for the purpose of renewing and enriching himself both as a person and minister. Generally, a sabbatical will include a formal educational component... A sabbatical is not a vacation, sick leave, a course or courses of special studies assigned by the archdiocese in preparation for a special task…”

My initial plans for this time, which I consider an opportunity of grace, are to spend some time with my family in Ireland. While there, I will be exploring some local history, involving both reading and writing. I will also be visiting briefly with former classmates who minister in different parts of the world and who will be in Ireland during the time I am there. It’s not a formal reunion, but an informal opportunity for us to compare notes about life, ministry, and our mission of these more than twenty years. I also expect to be in Ireland at the end of my sabbatical time, which will coincide with the Christmas and New Year holidays. My parents are not getting any younger, as my mother recently reminded me, and to be with them this one time for the Christmas is indeed a grace and a gift for myself.

As people ask me to share with them the details of my plans I have struggled to answer, partly because those plans haven’t been entirely firmed up at this time. I have been reading a lot on church life, mission, evangelization and leadership. As we have been growing and re-orienting our parish and its structures my learning has been continuing, and I have so many more books and other resources into which I want to delve. I look forward to the opportunity to dedicate myself to more thorough reading and learning. Invitations to spend time in South Africa, the UK and Europe are very tempting. I’ve also been considering taking a class to develop some skills for some formal writing. The temptation to try something completely different and new, such as a cooking class, has been dangled in front of me by some priest friends. There is no shortage of possibilities, now I just need to focus and discern some intentional choices.

I take very seriously the idea that this is a time of personal renewal and enrichment. I’m hoping to also catch up on some of my Netflix viewing… but that’s perhaps more information than anyone cares to know… During this time, I know it won’t be easy to disconnect from my usual life and ministry here, but that’s something I am resolved to do.

I ask your prayers as I leave for sabbatical, and I encourage you to warmly welcome Fr. Dan White and Bishop Wilkerson as they take up their ministry here at Our Lady of Lourdes.