Author: Aidee Boesen

I wish to express my deep gratitude to the parish family of St. Willebrord for collaborating with me, and allowing me to collaborate with you all for the last 10 years. Together we have served the spiritual, pastoral, and physical needs of many people. Our parish serves with “open hearts” all of her members and all who come through our “open doors.”

While our membership is large, we have many others who come to us with their needs. Our sandwiches and food pantry for the hungry are not limited to those who claim that St. Willebrord as home. Many are just passing through. We listen to the requests for help with rent, utility bills, and other essentials from anyone who asks, believer and non-believer. Parish donations to our “Fund for the Poor” have made a difference for so many.

We welcome Packer fans from all over the state and country who want to visit “Lombardi’s church.” We welcome fans who are staying in nearby hotels who are looking forward to a practice or a game. Often after a game, local fans arrive who want to participate at a late Sunday Mass in order to prayerfully celebrate a victory or confront the realities of a loss. All are welcome.

In this current age, as people around the globe are more mobile than ever, we must find ways to welcome those who are on the move into and within our local area. Whether our visitors and those in need come from near or far, our mission to serve their needs is because of our belief in God and in imitation of Christ’s example and teaching. Refugees, immigrants, and others who have been displaced from one part of the world or country to another, must be welcomed in Gospel charity, in Gospel love. In Gospel love we must not say “yes, but…” We are given the opportunity to say “yes!” and “welcome!” with kindness, compassion, and hospitality.

Many of you have presented visitors to me – family, friends, and new visitors who were looking for “the pastor.” Through you I have encountered the goodness of God as manifested in people from around the world. Asians, Africans, Europeans, Australians, and of course, Latin Americans, have worshipped with us as visitors over these last 10 years. This diverse and welcoming parish community has been a great gift for me and so many others.

While I am a Norbertine and many of you might say I “belong” here, I, too, arrived as an outsider and you welcomed me. Thank you!

Peace, Fr. Andy