Saint Lawrence Roman Catholic Church recently issued the following announcement.
Pastor’s Corner!
October 24, 2021
St. Paul is often known as the Missionary Apostle, because unlike the other Apostles, who basically established themselves in one city or region, focusing on the people of that location; St. Paul traveled to various locations around the Mediterranean basin establishing Christian Communities. Some of them would become some of the oldest Christian communities in the Church. He loved them all, but with some, he became particularly close; one of those communities was Ephesus. In the Acts of the Apostles, we learn that as Paul was concluding his last missionary journey and returning to Jerusalem, he made it a point to stop at Ephesus to reconnect with this fledgling community. He felt that his return to Jerusalem would not end well and hared this with the Ephesians. As the Ephesians walked Paul to the boat in which he would cross the Mediterranean, they knelt down and prayed with St. Paul and wept with him. On this weekend, the people of St. John the Baptist parish are having a similar experience. Fr. Tony Ripp, a priest who has been with them for 14 years is retiring and moving to his Order’s retirement home in Center Valley. Certainly, he will remain active as a priest, but at a more manageable pace. He will be closer to medical care, which every senior person will have need of. Certainly, he won’t be as far away as Jerusalem. Yet, this move is symbolic. It represents a separation between the people who love him and he, who loves the people of St. John the Baptist Parish. He has made himself available for everything that has been a part of their spiritual journey: shared in the joys of their children’s baptisms, wedding, graduations. He has shared in their difficulties visiting them when they were in hospitals or nursing homes; comforting them and their loved ones when they were dying. He has walked with many as they wrestled with personal issues in their lives and encouraging them as their confessor. I know that the Knights of Columbus will miss his spiritual direction , which was always simple and humble. Over those 14 years, the people of St. Lawrence Parish benefitted from the goodness of the priests of St. John the Baptist including Fr. Simi, Fr. Ripp and Fr. Lucas, particularly, when Fr. Muir was ill. I have always been grateful for the times when I needed a priest to cover weekend Masses for me while getting away on vacation. So, my brothers & sisters, as our brother gets ready to get into the boat for his next journey, let us give Thanks to Our Lord for the gift of Father Tony Ripp and ask Him to watch over Fr. Tony, blessing him with many more happy years as he continues to answer Our Lord’s call to spread the Good News! Fr. Tony, we love you!
Original source can be found here.
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