A Final Note: Father Anthony Says Farewell in Padre's Post

Today [September 28, 2025] I write my final Padre's Post as your pastor of the parishes of St. Boniface and St. Meinrad in Spencer County. This is my last weekend serving you before you welcome Father Paul Nord, OSB, on Monday, September 29, as your new pastor, assigned by Archbishop Thompson for the care of your souls.

For 16 blessed years, Padre’s Post began as my weekend homily preparation, written before being delivered in outline form at weekend Masses. It started as a simple way to reach those who struggled to hear in churches before we replaced our old audio systems. Through the challenging months of the COVID-19 pandemic and continuing today through livestream, it connects many homebound, sick and infirm parishioners who lack smart televisions to access our BoxCast app. 

Whether received by U.S. mail, hand delivered by Deacon Mike and our Ministry of Care team members who regularly visit parishioners at home or in area long-term care centers, or delivered by text message linking to our parish website, this communication has served our parish family well.

As we celebrate this 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time, I am filled with gratitude for how God has worked through, with and in our parish family. The virtue of solidarity truly extends beyond any material goods we hold in common.

For 2,000 years, the Church has lived Christ’s promise: “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well” (Matthew 6:33). This truth has inspired countless saints — monastic farmers who fed the hungry, religious orders who liberated slaves, holy men and women who established hospitals for the sick, and missionaries who brought faith, civilization and instructional learning, including math and science, to all generations and peoples.

Scripture teaches us that solidarity flows from our shared brotherhood in Christ. The Church calls pastors to proclaim God’s word through teaching and to center parish life on the Eucharist and her sacraments, beyond and above any one ministry, program or annual activity. These sacred duties reflect our partnership with our bishops to build communities where everyone can live a life worthy of Christians. What a blessing it has been to serve alongside you in this holy work.

I pray that you continue to grow together as a parish family with Father Paul as he begins his ministry among you along with Deacon Mike, the parish staff, and many others who serve and assist in the mission and ministry of your parish family as together you explore ways to open your eyes to the Lazarus at your doorstep.

Remember to pray daily for those who minister and serve you, especially your pastor. Look out for him and care for him as we care for you. He has been called in a special way by God to listen, discern and lead you by the Holy Spirit’s prompting and promise. He has been called by God and through the gift of his ordination to teach and keep before your eyes as a parish family, as individuals and as families, that there is nothing more important or of greater value than your active participation in the regular celebration of the Church's sacraments, especially the Eucharist, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Jesus has given us Moses, the prophets and his own example. May this week bring opportunities to serve rather than be served.

It has been a blessing for me to serve you throughout the last 16 years. I will be the first to admit that I did not do this alone. The parish staff, pastoral council members past and present, commissions, liturgical ministers, seminarians — many now serving as pastors today in their respective dioceses — and the countless volunteers who have shared in the call and responsibility to live our faith together in so many aspects of collaborative ministry as stewards of God’s grace have blessed me.

These holy moments shared will forever be carried with me: the children held at birth whose feet would never walk on earth, the hands held in both prosperity and fear while waiting for the sting of death and its great silence to arrive, the moments of new life, renewed life and joy. Witnessing many of you receive the sacraments for the first time or receiving your professions of faith as you were welcomed into full communion with its rites and personal responsibilities as a member in the one, holy, catholic and apostolic church. 

I am grateful for the times when you were a student and even more grateful for the times you were willing to be the teacher for me and for so many others as you carry your cross. For your care and concern for others, you will be remembered by me. Thank you for your prayer and presence in my life.

As I shared with you last weekend at the end of my final homily prepared for you, please keep close to your heart these three messages: Know and live the Ten Commandments and know and understand where the primary sources of faith and reason come from and who they are divinely inspired by, rooted in Scripture and tradition of the Catholic Church, and use the Catechism not only to know but to live your Catholic faith. As Catholics and parish members, understand the primary sources and what your rights and responsibilities are as parish members and where these come from and why. And stay close to the sacraments, especially the Eucharist. To actively receive these gifts of God for the people of God are both moments of grace and mercy for you. You are not alone.

Thank you for your patience, your ability to teach through your humanity and human weakness. I too strived to do the same through my humanity and human weakness. By God’s grace I have freely offered myself for the needs of the Church at this time in the long history of these two parishes — all provided by and strengthened and sustained by the Giver of All Good Gifts. Pray for me as I pray for you. Thank you and may God bless you for your care and kindness to me.