“As I look back on these 8 years at St. Pat’s I have to honestly confess that these were my happiest years, if not in my entire life.  And I will never forget your warm welcome, and your kind and generous spirit that carried me through these 8 years.

St. Patrick's was not only my first parish as pastor but also became my seminary in which you taught me how to really become a good and caring parish priest. You were my teachers and counselors in that endeavor and I wouldn't be here today without your help, advice, feedback and prayers

You have also become my extended family. I've never had so many mothers and grandmothers, watching over me. I've found here, brothers to ride motorcycles and talk about boats, sisters to teach me cooking, and a few hundred children in both faith formation programs which always kept me on my toes.

So it is with great sadness that I've come to this moment of parting. Final goodbyes are hard and there is no easy way out. And as I leave you, I try not to grieve over the loss and the separation, but I'm rather grateful to God for these wonderful 8 years of service and unforgettable moments we shared together. God bless us all.

Fr. Marek