This will be my last column in the bulletin as your Pastor. I am not sad, instead, I am filled with gratitude.

In these years that the Lord asked me to serve as the shepherd of the flock of Regina Pacis, He has given me everything I needed to serve Him and you well. All that was needed was my acceptance of His guidance and my faith in the promise of His accompaniment with me on this journey.

I will admit that there were times when I wasn’t so sure of His presence. In the beginning, when we were in tremendous financial debt, when the buildings were crumbling, when boilers in the Church, the youth center, the school building, and the convent had to be replaced, and when the Diocese kept asking for Campaign funds, I almost lost my faith in the Lord’s help since He doesn’t print money! But He encouraged me to ask you, which is something I hate to do.

In the meantime, He sent me people who needed my attention. Some of them had money problems much smaller than ours, but more devastating to them and their families. They were struggling too. Others were mourning the passing of a loved one and the Resurrection was a hard sell for them at that time. It hurt. When Covid came we all were afraid and prayed very hard for Our Lady to protect us. I said my favorite prayer many times:

“Show yourself to be a Mother” -Monstra te Esse Matrem

I could go on and on because I am sure that my pastorship was a gift from the Lord to me to show me His love, His encouragement, His accompaniment, and His strength which never failed even when I failed.

So I began my service as Pastor filled with hope. This hope did not leave me disappointed.

The only way I can thank each one of you is to promise my prayers for you.

My pastorship will end on December 31st, but my Priesthood is forever! Please remember me often in your prayers.

I love you and your families very much.

Msgr. Ronald T. Marino