Dear Parish Family,

I don’t know where to begin, but I must … This journey be-
gan when I was a seminarian in 2007 and I spent a summer
with Fr. Nick Shori, your beloved Pastor at the time, and all
of you. So the story began. Fr. Shori was an incredible mentor
for me and all of you welcomed me with open arms!! The
relationships that were forged at that time continue today.
Fast forward to August of 2019 and I’m assigned as Pastor of
St. Paul the Apostle Parish in New Middletown. To this day, I
remember processing in for my first Mass on that Saturday
afternoon and feeling immense joy and love that only St.
Paul’s family can give. The journey that began on that day
will remain with me for the rest of my life. This journey has
changed me as a person and a priest. The love and faith that
we have shared with one another has been a transforming
experience for me.

Deacon Bill was ordained a permanent Deacon that August of
2019 and I had the privilege and honor to vest him at his ordi-
nation. Our relationship as priest and deacon grew and we
bonded as brothers in Christ, but even more as companions on
a faith journey, and I know this journey will continue. Deacon
Bill’s family, his wife Alaina and his daughters Maria, Sophia
and Ella have blessed my life immensely and their love will
always be in my heart. These four years, as I have celebrated
so many different occasions with all of you, will remain with
me forever. It has been a privilege and an honor for me to be
such an intimate part of your lives and this is only a part of
the transformation that will remain in my heart and memory.
We, as a parish family, have forged a foundation in these
four years that must continue. St. Paul the Apostle Church
does not rely on any one priest, deacon, or person. The heart
and soul of the parish family is in ALL OF YOU!! The very
life and legacy of this Church is in ALL OF YOU!! Your
faith and love will always be in my heart and I hope my faith
and love that I have shared with all of you will be in your
hearts. As I said in my homily at my last Mass with Deacon
Bill and all of you, some people come into our lives and keep
on going, but some people come into our lives and will re-
main forever!! This relationship that we have shared has only
begun, our paths have merged for a life changing experience,
and the journey will continue. I know our paths will not only
cross in this life AGAIN, but I know our paths will cross
again in heaven which is ETERNAL LIFE.

Thank you everyone for all that you have done for me during
this journey. I especially want to convey my sincere appreciation
to Deacon Bill, Helen, Grant, Al, JoAnn, Tom, Nancy and Katri-
na!! Before she passed, my Mother said, “Don’t say the ‘G
WORD’, just say SEE YA.”

MY LOVE AND PRAYERS ALWAYS, ~~Fr. Steve.