Local Church

July 20, 2006

New assignments leave churchgoers wondering...

Who’s the new guy?

By Rebecca Bostic
The Catholic Sun

Some local Catholics are readjusting to parish life as more than two dozen priests began their ministry at different parishes this summer.

Each July it is common for priests to receive new assignments, presenting clergy and churchgoers alike fresh opportunities and challenges.

Knight of the Holy Sepulcher Father Thomas Hallsten, recently appointed parochial administrator of Holy Spirit Parish in Tempe, believes new assignments can help priests and parishioners avoid complacency that may develop when a priest serves at a parish for an extended period of time.

“It’s kind of like with rock bands,” Fr. Hallsten said. “Priests get their groupies and parishioners become very defensive of their pastor. If you don’t fit in, you don’t fit in. The whole parish life can revolve around one person: the pastor.”

Fr. Charlie Goraieb, recently appointed pastor at Queen of Peace Parish in Mesa, warns of the possibility of the parish getting “dependent on the cult of the personality” when a priest is stationed at a parish too long.

Yet adopting a new family of thousands of people is never an easy task for a pastor. Even the physical act of moving can be exhausting.

“I am lost,” Fr. Goraieb laughed as he motioned his hands toward the bare walls of his office. “I think there are a number of things that are difficult in this transition. The first one is getting to know the new people and their names, what they like, their personalities and how that all affects the life and tenor of the parish.

“The next difficult thing is to understand the character of the parish and the traditions of the parish and how to embrace those traditions, contribute to them and enter into them.”

Getting to know you

Parishioners also have a transitioning time, especially when a new pastor arrives.

Some parishes, like Holy Spirit, are without a familiar pastor for the first time in more than a decade. In this case, it is due to the retirement of long time pastor Fr. John Hanley.

“Every leader has their own style, strengths and talents,” said Lisa Emmerling, a Holy Spirit parishioner. “The priestly experiences that every priest has brought to our parish has enhanced and deepened our worship and I expect the same will continue with Fr. Hallsten.”

Emmerling hopes Fr. Hallsten’s youth will stimulate the life of the parish and embraces the change. Still, she recognizes the potential growing pains of the transition and the challenges that come with it.

Emmerling need not worry about a great deal of change in the near future at Holy Spirit.

Fr. Hallsten’s philosophy on moving to a new parish — one that he knows well after being placed in nine parishes throughout his 16 years as a priest — is one of slow change and understanding.

“My idea and thinking has always been to first come in as a priest and that means that I really don’t have any immediate expectations of changing parish structure, unless they’re absolute necessities,” he said.

“My experience has always taught that there’s usually a reason things are done the way they are,” Fr. Hallsten added. “When I can learn more about that, the better informed I am when a time for change comes; or I simply adapt and we move on.”

Fr. Goraieb, who has served in five parishes throughout his 15 years as a priest, thinks most of the changes at Queen of Peace Parish will mesh his leadership style with the traditions of the Mesa parish.

Why priests move

Priest reassignments occur for many different reasons.

Associate pastors are generally moved more frequently because, according to Holy Cross Father Tom Zurcher, vicar for priests, it is desirable for a priest to serve in at least two parishes before the bishop appoints him a pastor.

The diocese has a priests’ placement board that evaluates a priest’s request or willingness to move to a new parish.Sometimes, even if a priest indicated he would like to stay at his current parish, he will move to a different parish in order to serve a greater need in a different area of the diocese.

Fr. Zurcher recognizes the difficulties of transferring to a different parish, but thinks priests and communities alike stand to benefit.

“There are always issues of transition that present themselves as opportunities for growth when there is a change of assignment,” Fr. Zurcher said. “A new pastor sees things in ways that are different from a previous pastor. A new parish will call forth gifts and talents that may have been resting dormant in a newly assigned pastor.”

Although Fr. Goraieb and Fr. Hallsten named different challenges in relocating, both men have great hopes for the future of their current parishes.

Fr. Goraieb hopes that at his new home of Queen of Peace parishioners will experience inspiring worship, a sense of unity and an evangelistic mindset.

Fr. Hallsten’s goal for Holy Spirit Parish is simple.

“I have always been happy when people say they’re proud of their parish,” Fr. Hallsten said. “They have a sense that this is their place, not to be defensive of it and not to be boastful, but ‘I’m proud of my parish... and encourage others to come.’”