Fr. Clore Announces Retirement

Champion and Advocate for the School

Last spring, I commented that during the previous 12 months, I had spent more time in doctor's offices than I had spent in my entire life. That year still holds the re- cord. Now, at least, I am starting to get comments like, "Everything looks good -- see you in 6 months!" ... or in one case, "See you in a year!" So, for the time being, I am on the mend. But I am 81, and I notice that I am starting to walk like an old man. 🙂 I am definitely losing energy, and I cannot be out and about like a pastor should be.

So as the new Family of Parishes gets organized, I need to pass the torch. In the recent "Clergy News" there was the announcement: "As of July 1, 2022, Fr. Clore is granted Senior Priest Status." In ordinary language that means retirement. Priests don't actually "retire;" we still say Mass and celebrate other sacraments on occasion. But it will not be around here. During the transition, I will be happy to pass along to my replacement any bits of wisdom and experience that might be helpful; but from July 1, I will not be butting in. It would not be fair to the new administration to have me hanging around breathing down their necks.

Nowadays, pastors are assigned for a limited term -- usually 6 years, with the possibility of one renewal. But when I was assigned here under the old Canon Law, pastors were assigned "for life." It has been a great life! We will all carry on -- as St. Paul said, "All under the same Spirit."

Fr. Clore