Thank You, Fr. John!

Dear parishioners and friends,
 
On behalf of me and all Nativity parishioners, I want to extend to Fr. John Powers our heartfelt congratulations on his new assignment and sincere thanks for his three years of priestly service here at Nativity of Our Lord.
 
As parochial vicar, Fr. John served at the altar through all seasons and celebrations: daily Mass, Lord’s Day Mass, funerals, marriages, Baptisms, anointings, Confessions and more. Fr. John has shared his faith with a generous heart with students of all ages at Nativity School and NELC, from serving at the school hot lunch line and reading to preschoolers to preparing students for the sacraments and training altar servers. Fr. John also had deep appreciation for all of Nativity’s faith formation endeavors, and gave regular presentations to adult RCIA participants and Faith Formation evening classes.
 
One of my privileges in mentoring newly ordained priests is watching their growth, not only in their own faith life, but in their ability to shepherd and lead a parish community. Fr. John has grown and flourished in all roles of a priest and parochial vicar, and we are all blessed for a being a part of that transformation.
 
Finally, I must mention that Fr. John’s good-hearted competitive streak kept us all joyful and balanced. Whether winning the Kelley Cup at the annual Nativity Cribbage Tournament, scoping out the best Fantasy Football team with priest friends, joining the seminarians and me for a fast and spirited game of pub trivia, or taking on the games of chance at the Nativity County Fair, Fr. John’s sense of fun and camaraderie is evident to all.
 
There is so much more that could be said about this priest who has become my colleague and friend, but please join me to say good-bye and Godspeed.
 
In gratitude,
 
Fr. Patrick Hipwell

-

A previous version appeared in the June 10, 2018 parish bulletin.