Dear Friends,

"With the help of the Holy Spirit, it is the task of the whole people of God, particularly of its pastors and theologians, to listen to and distinguish the many voices of our times and to interpret them in the light of the Divine Word, in order that the revealed truth may be more deeply penetrated, better understood and more suitably presented." Gaudium et Spes, No. 44.

Over the past several months, I have been afforded the opportunity to experience what is called a "Sabbatical." The word sabbatical finds its root in the "Sabbath" which can be traced in the Word of God found in scripture.

• Genesis.... God rested on the seventh day.
• Sabbatical year incorporated into the rhythm of life every seven years...The land was allowed time to be fallow. (Lev. 25)
• 7 x 7 years was a time for Jubilee. The lands were restored and the slaves were set free.
• A time to restore balance and a time for reconciliation.
• John 10-10 – I came that you may have life.
• A time for "Being" and "Becoming."
• An event of grace

The taking of a sabbatical is not the same as taking a vacation. A sabbatical is time for "exploration and reflection, for drinking anew from God's life-giving waters, and for regaining the enthusiasm and creativity for ministry."

Just like the soil, all human beings need a season to "lie fallow" for revitalization of the mind, body, and soul. The writer, Dave Ellingson, said, "We require a time to receive rather than give, to get input rather than give output, to carefully nurture and cultivate our lives so that the soul of our spirits might be rid of the weeds and have an opportunity to receive nourishment." (Ellingson, pg. 2)

A sabbatical allows a person in ministry to get "off the treadmill" and have one's battery recharged in vision and in hope. It is a time to create the opportunity for the one in ministry to:

• recapture a sense of vision;
• be nurtured in faith and skills;
• become introspective;
• rekindle spiritual passion;
• refocus priorities;
• review one's ministerial journey and
• reflect on the call of God for life and ministry.

Therefore, the time of sabbatical hopefully feeds the body, mind and soul helping to revitalize the energy of the shepherd and servant leader in all of his ministerial functions. (Based on Fr. Maurice P. O'Mahony CSsR) Understanding what a sabbatical entails, it is my hope that you will have a deeper appreciation and understanding for the time that I am currently away. After spending wonderful days with friends in Southern California, Boston, Maine, and meeting new friends in Virginia, I am now in my second week at a beautiful place in the English countryside run by the Redemptorist Fathers. The area is called Hawkstone Park and has been referred to as one of most beautiful garden spots in all of Europe.The thirty-five participants are from all over the world. Half of the participants are sisters and the other half is comprised of priests, two brothers, and one lay man. The many countries represented create a rich diversity of God's Church throughout the world.

The countries represented are: Australia, Botswana, Canada, Ecuador, England, Ghana, Ireland, Italy, Malawi, Malaysia, Nigeria, Philippines, Samoa, Suriname-South America, United States, and Zambia. Each person brings a special grace from their own experiences and a very unique sense of humor. It has been said that, "Spirituality is a fundamental dimension of being a human being." Having a spirituality is not a luxury but a reality.

"Spirituality is a lot like health. We all have health; we may have good health or poor health, but it is something we can't avoid having. The same is true of spirituality: every human being is a spiritual being. The question is not whether we have spirituality but whether the spirituality we have is a negative one that leads to isolation and self-destruction or one that is positive and life-giving."

I invite you to pray with me for a deepening of our spirituality so as to discover the true inner presence of God who is always with us. At times, all of us are lulled into our daily routine, which keeps us focused on that which only drains us of life. As I continue on the journey of my sabbatical, I pray that you, and your fellow parishioners, will continue on your own journey of renewal as being presented this fall by your Parish Council and Parish Staff. Wherever we are on this great planet earth, we are always connected by the power of faith in the Spirit of God.

May the Lord keep you and all of your loved ones in His goodness and in His blessings. I am grateful to be your Pastor and servant in Christ. I will write again. In the meantime, please pray for me and know that you are always at the center of my prayers.

Sincerely yours in Christ,
Father Tarantino
Pastor