MANY THANKS!

Words will do no justice to the gratitude I feel in my heart.  All the going away festivities this past week were just fantastic. Thanks to all of you who came to the farewell party and/or Sunday mass this weekend and extended your love and support.  It means so much to me.  I will be leaving Knoxville on July 2nd for the West Coast.  Once I move my stuff I will take an extended summer vacation or mini sabbatical, depending on how you look at it, then start my new work at Paulist Productions located in Pacific Palisades.

Fr. Charlie will arrive the weekend of July 25th and looks forward to beginning his new ministry as Pastor of John XXIII.  I keep stressing to him what a delight it is to shepherd this community.  He agreed with me after spending a week here with you all. He is eager and happy to join you.  Until then, Fr. Paul will be keeping an eye on things.

If you didn’t get the change of address information, it is:

Paulist Productions
17575 Pacific Coast Highway
P.O. Box 1057
Pacific Palisades, CA  90272

Residence:

St. Paul the Apostle Church
10750 Ohio Avenue
Los Angeles, CA  90024

God Bless and THANK YOU For 9 wonderful years at John XXIII.

Fr. Eric

Click Here to Order Farewell Tee Shirt!

 

Get the commemorative farewell tee shirt for Fr. Eric and help pay for the goodbye bash!

 

Call the office at 523-7931 or email us at John23@utk.edu to reserve yours today!  Suggested contribution: $15.

Goodbyes & Hellos

On Thursday, June 25th, there will be a big farewell party for me  at John XXIII hosted by the parish community.  The party starts at 6:30 p.m. with a great BBQ dinner prepared by John XXIII chef Fred Stephens and his team of BBQ experts.  Around 7:30pm there will be some entertainment followed by music and dancing by John XXIII’s house band “Groove Machine.”   No doubt there will be yet another rendition of “Love Shack.”  

Please come!  I would like to see you before we say farewell, for now! Parishioners are encouraged to sign up in the lobby and bring a side dish or dessert.  Friends from around the Diocese are more than welcome and are asked to RSVP by calling the church office at 865 523-7931 so we can have enough food for everyone!

Since many are asking, here is my weekend preaching schedule through the end of the month:

June 6/7 away for a wedding
June 13/14  Saturday 5:30 p.m. & Sunday 9:00 a.m.
June 20/21  Sunday 11:15 a.m. & 8:00 p.m.
June 27/28  Saturday 5:30 p.m., Sunday 9:00 a.m. & 11:15 a.m.

Pending Bishop Stika’s approval, Fr. Charlie Donahue will be assigned to John XXIII, effective July 1.  His first weekend at John XXIII, on the job, will be July 25/26th. Fr. Paul will be holding down the fort in the interim and former pastor Fr. Charlie Brunick will be back 4th of July weekend to visit and say some masses.

As for me, I will ride into the sunset, quite literally, on July 2nd.  Having served in Knoxville for nine years, I know I will be back often, and if provided travel expenses, will consider doing a wedding or two!  I noted to the Bishop that it is my hope that later in my priesthood to be pastor here again and retire here.  Just bury me in upstate New York, with all the Italians!

I look forward to seeing you before I take off.  Check the previous post regarding my new job and the newly nominated pastor of John XXIII.

Peace, Fr. Eric