May 1, 2025 – West Bend, WI – There’s been quite a bit of conversation this past week regarding staffing changes at Holy Angels Parish in West Bend, WI. Rev. Howard Haase, who is leaving the parish in the next couple of months, has a writeup about the changes in staffing in this weekend’s bulletin.
Over the years I have come to learn, as I suspect many of you have, that the only constant in our lives is the fact that things keep changing. Even though we often hear ourselves saying “it has always been that way” nothing has remains the same for long. We may not remember, we may be too young, we may not be familiar with the circumstances, but the fact remains that things keep changing whether or not we like it and\or want it. It is that way in the secular world and it is that way in the world of the church. We have experienced this reality just recently on the world stage, on the diocesan stage, and on the local parish stage.
This past week many of us watched as we laid to rest the leader of our church for the past twelve years, Pope Francis. Some loved him and some did not, but the fact remains he brought changes to our church that will have a lasting effect for years to come. In a relatively short time, we will have a new pope elected and he, no doubt, will bring new changes to the church we love dearly – some will like him, and others will not, and the Spirit will continue to move us forward.
This past January we had a new archbishop installed, Most Reverend Jeffery Grob, as our new leader. Some will like him, and others may not, but he will bring changes to our archdiocese built upon what has gone before him. Some will speak of “what was” reflecting on the leadership of previous archbishops, while others will welcome the ideas of the new person who is in charge – all the while the Spirit will move us forward.
On the more local level, Holy Angels Parish, we will be going through our own transitions\changes in the coming weeks. We say goodbye to Deacon Dave Young, his spouse Mary, and members of their family. Deacon Dave has served Holy Angels for over a decade and now they are preparing to move back home closer to family. On behalf of all of us I wish to thank Deacon Dave for all the ways he served the parish and the archdiocese during these years. His absence will bring many changes in the years to come as we adjust to the differences in our staff and in the clergy that will serve us.
As you also know I will be retiring in a couple of months and Fr. Russ Arnett will be stepping in as the new pastor of Holy Angels Parish.
That will certainly bring changes as new leadership will bring a new direction and will bring new ideas as it did when I was appointed pastor 6 years ago. Changes keep on happening – all the while the Spirit moves us forward.
Another change I must mention is that Jim Schmidt left his employment at the parish last week. This will bring about more changes as we adjust and eventually discover new ways to do things. I certainly wish him all the best as he discovers where it is the Spirit will lead
him in the years to come.
Changes come in all shapes and sizes, they come when expected and they take place when we least expect them to. Sometimes they are welcome and other times they are resisted. The fact remains they happen and when they happen; we must trust the guidance of the Spirit.
Change is inevitable and if we are paying attention, we will discover the marvelous ways the hand of God works through it all.
Blessings during these times of change and transition,
Fr. Howard