Fr. Tom’s Farewell

With sentiments of Gratitude to Saint Francis Community

“Great occasions for serving God come seldom, but little ones surround us daily” St. Francis de Sales. 

I remember the poem by Jean d’Ormesson, “Train of Life,” and I would like to cite a part of it here. “At birth, we boarded the train of life and met our parents. . . As time goes by, some significant people will board the train: . . . Many will step down and leave a permanent vacuum. Others will go so unnoticed that we won’t realize that they vacated their seats! This train ride has been a mixture of joy, sorrow, fantasy, expectations, hellos, goodbyes, and farewells. . . When the time comes for us to step down and leave our seats empty – we should leave behind beautiful memories for those who continue to travel on the train of life. Let’s remember to thank our Creator for giving us life to participate in this journey. I close by thanking you for being one of the passengers on my train!”

I got on board with you at Saint Francis of Assisi Parish and journeyed with you for the last three years. Although I knew I must get down at some point, I did not know the time or the direction. Interestingly, I had a short layover for about two months and a half, giving me enough time to wish farewell to all of you before I take off on board with my new assignment and continue my journey. At this juncture, thank you for your hospitality, warmth, and friendship, making my journey an amazing experience.

Saint Francis family has left a deep impression on me as a human person and priest. You have been in my life as fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, and friends, perhaps leaving a permanent vacuum in me. I got on board with you on a journey during the pandemic, one of the most challenging turbulences we have ever faced on a journey that threatened our life in every way; physically, spiritually, emotionally, and socially. We journeyed together, sharing moments of our joys and sorrows with faith in God’s love and mercy. I am humbled and deepened in my faith by the various encounters I had with each of you in different contexts, be it personal meetings, sacramental moments, or other community celebrations. I am impressed by your faith as individuals and as a community. Saint Francis is a vibrant community with children, teens, young adults, and young and older families. Your commitments to the faith and community, which you manifest through your involvement in various parish ministries, are praiseworthy. Your genuine love for God and the desire to live by faith in God despite human limitations are the signs of true Holiness. Moreover, we have much in common as individuals and communities in our humanity and our dependency on the mercy of God. I believe, and I recognize as a priest today, that if I have been able to connect with anyone of you in my interactions or the celebration of the sacraments, it is the awareness of my humanity and my total dependency on God’s love and mercy.

I am grateful to God for my life and vocation as a priest and, above all, for allowing me to serve you in this parish. I can proudly say that you have touched me and that I have grown in my faith and discernment of my vocation journey as a priest through my ministry at St. Francis of Assisi Church. You gave meaning and purpose to my life. I want to thank each of you, the members of Saint Francis of Assisi Parish, for your love, support, and encouragement. I also want to recognize the brotherhood and friendship I have developed over the last three years with Fr. Tony Vilano, my best friend, and Pastor. He is an inspiration and a mentor in pastoral leadership and brotherhood. I sincerely thank Fr. Tony for his friendship and our wonderful time together. I also want to recognize and acknowledge the presence of the incredible staff and many selfless volunteers who give their time, talents, and money to support the ministries of our parish. You made my life and my ministry at Sant Francis an enriching experience that nurtured my priestly vocation and ministry. As I step down here and get on board with my new assignment at Assumption Seminary in formation and assistance at the office of clergy in the Archdiocese of San Antonio, I request your valuable prayers and blessing so that I may faithfully carry out the mission of Christ. Assure you my prayers for God’s continued blessings on our parish community.

Blessings,

Fr. Tomichan Moonnanappillil, MSFS (Tom)