grace Full of

Each year, the Priest Personnel Board, composed of several priests and the diocese’s two Vicars General, advises the Bishop on how to best meet the needs of diocesan parish communities with the priests available. After several sessions involving consultation, evaluation and planning with the Board, Bishop Johnston finalizes and announces the assignments. Father Greg Haskamp reflected on his time as pastor at St. Elizabeth Parish in Kansas City for 10 years, as he begins a new assignment as pastor at Visitation Parish in Kansas City July 1.

“I do feel caught between two worlds, but they are two very good worlds. I know the parish I’m leaving and the parish to which I’m going are communities where the Eucharist is celebrated, the Gospel is put into action and good people abound.”

Since learning that I’m moving from St. Elizabeth [Parish] to Visitation [Parish], my life has been anything but dull. Or predictable. Or settled. And it has been full of grace. Yes, I’ve shed a lot of tears already, thinking of leaving friends and colleagues in the office, the parish community who have been my family, the church where we’ve prayed together for 10 years and the unique and beautiful ways the Gospel comes to life here. It only takes a glimpse of someone’s face or the stirring of a memory, however, to remind me that tears are possible at any moment, and that leaving is going to hurt. I’ve started the dreaded task of packing, realizing quickly that I own too much and that I need to purge (which I have). In the midst of it, I’ve been humbled by the generosity of so many people who are helping me.

I’ve enjoyed some great backyard parties, meals out at restaurants and outings around town. I’ve laughed a lot, have heard affirming and generous words and have gotten to tell people how much they mean to me. So many people I speak with have a memory to share, some words of advice or the name of family or friends at Visitation.

I do feel caught between two worlds, but they are two very good worlds. I know the parish I’m leaving and the parish to which I’m going are communities where the Eucharist is celebrated, the Gospel is put into action and good people abound. Parishioners of Visitation have already reached out in welcome, offering gracious and encouraging words. I’ve met with my predecessor and future colleagues, have attended a couple of meetings at Visitation and have delivered several boxes of my things to the rectory there. I know I am walking into a dynamic, gifted community who will show me the way to be their pastor. I imagine myself saying Mass at Visitation and knowing everyone’s name. I envision my future home and try to figure out where I’m going to put all my Frankoma pottery! I hear conversations about the future at St. Elizabeth and feel a twinge of pain that it will not include me, but I feel energized as I get to know Visitation, grateful that I will be joining another community of such grace and goodness.

I do feel caught between two worlds, but they are two very good worlds. Thank you, St. Elizabeth. Thank you, Visitation. My life is anything but dull. It is exciting. And it is full of grace.