Sharing my thoughts:

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:” (Eccl 3:1) Reading between those lines one can then assume that there is a season for slowing down – a season for retirement. The beginning of Chapter 3 of Ecclesiastes is familiar to most; however, verse 22 is not quite so familiar: “So I saw that there is nothing better for a person than to enjoy their work, because that is their lot...” Therein lies the difficulty in the discernment of my retirement. Privileged to serve the Body of Christ at St Olaf for sixteen (16) years as Deacon and graced to be a member of this faith community for twenty-five (25) years has been, and continues to be, a blessing in my life. Although I was unable to bring myself to the decision to retire; I was able to convince myself that it was time to slow down. Beginning October 17, 2015, I will continue to be Deacon of the Mass at all three masses on the third weekend of each month. The remaining weekends I will be Deacon of the Mass at one mass each weekend. My mass of attendance will change each weekend; however, my attendance will rotate between all three weekend masses so that I may join in prayer with each segment of this community. I will continue with my involvement in parish life: Outreach Committee, various parish ministries and interaction with parish members. On the Eau Claire Deanery level, I will continue my work with the Marriage Preparation Program as I so enjoy the interaction with the engaged couples and the married couples who so graciously share their lives and experiences with those beginning the journey of marriage. May the Lord bless your lives and may your lives be a blessing for all whom you encounter on the journey of life.
†Deacon Bob