Dear Friends in Christ,

It’s hard to believe how much has changed since I first arrived at St. Pius X in the fall of 2020. We were in the middle of a pandemic, wearing masks, socially distanced, and worshiping with about 80 people at each Sunday Mass. Most weekends, we barely reached 400 people total. But now, just a few years later, we’re joyfully back to normal and this Easter we welcomed nearly 2,000 people
to celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord. Praise Jesus! The faith is alive and strong here in Grandville!

By now, many of you have heard the news I announced last weekend. Bishop Walkowiak has appointed me to serve as the new pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, effective July 1. St. Thomas is a vibrant parish with a school of nearly 350 students. I’ll be following Fr. Jim Chelich, who faithfully served there for over 30 years; so, I have big shoes to fill!

While I will be leaving, I am happy to share that Fr. Doug Braun will be your next pastor here at St. Pius X. I know in my heart he will be a tremendous blessing. He is a humble man who deeply loves the Lord. I know that you will welcome him with the same warmth and support you’ve so generously given me.

As I reflect on my time here, I am overwhelmed with gratitude. I’m proud of the incredible staff who work tirelessly to spread the Gospel. I’m proud of the welcoming and loving community that defines St. Pius X. I’m especially thankful for our shared focus on evangelization, from the launch of Alpha, the growth of small groups, the energy of That Man is You, and the beginnings of what I hope will be a vibrant “She shall be called Woman” (coming this fall – the sister program to TMIY) community for the women of our parish. I’m also deeply thankful for your generosity in making the sanctuary renovation a reality. My prayer is that the beauty of our worship space will continue to elevate your heart to heavenly things, and draw you into deeper awe and wonder of God’s love.

Most of all, I’m grateful for you. This will be a hard goodbye, because I truly love you all. I’ve celebrated life’s most joyful moments with you, baptisms, weddings, and parish celebrations. And I’ve stood with you in grief and loss, especially during the challenges of COVID. Through it all, I have been deeply blessed by your faith and friendship.

Thankfully, we still have nearly two months together, and I plan to cherish every moment. Sometimes I wonder if I’ve received more from all of you than I’ve given. My greatest hope is that, despite my faults and limitations, I’ve helped you grow in your love for Jesus, and even more, your awareness and acceptance of His personal and powerful love for each of you.

Lastly, I ask you to please keep both Fr. Doug and me in your prayers. Transitions like these are never easy for a parish nor for the priests. Just as I will be saying goodbye to a parish I love deeply, Fr. Doug will also be leaving behind a community he has come to love. Please pray that God comforts his heart as he prepares to love and serve each of you.

I’ll save the official goodbye for later. For now, just know how grateful, joyful, and honored I am to have walked with you these past few years.

In Christ’s Love and Friendship,

Fr. Stephen