News from Fr. Chris
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February 1, 2021
Friends at St. Hedwig Church and School:
I have some news to share with you. Bishop Vann has asked me to take on the position of Director of the Archives of the Diocese of Orange. It is a full-time job, and I will begin this work on July 1, 2021. This means that I will end my Pastorate here on June 30. I will be moving to a new church, living in a rectory and helping with Masses, but my days will be filled as Archivist. I don’t know anything about how to do this, but I am honored Bishop Vann has entrusted me with this important work. This will be a major change for me, as I have only worked as a parish priest for over thirty years. This promotion to a Diocesan department is not something I had ever expected. It will be a big change for the parish as well. Every new priest, and especially every change in Pastor, has an effect on the community. I know you will be as welcoming to him as you have been to all the priests who have passed through the parish. I know this is sudden. I wasn’t expecting to move this year, but Bishop Vann has placed a priority on the Archives, which it has never had before. The Archives are the living memory of the Church of Orange, of which I have been a part since it was founded in 1976. The collection is currently housed at Mission San Juan Capistrano, and I am tasked with moving it to the new Cathedral campus. There is still plenty of work to be done in the next five months! I’m not saying goodbye yet! With the end of the pandemic and the assignment of a new Pastor, St. Hedwig Church and School will have the opportunity to revision the community, to make changes from the way the parish has operated before, and to institute new ministries and organization. Please pray for me through the intercession of St. Joseph as I prepare for this new ministry, and pray for our parish through our Patroness St. Hedwig, that God will “make all things work for the good for those who love Him” (Romans 8:28). Fr. Chris Heath Pastor, St. Hedwig Church |