Editor's Desk: Time of Transition

By Michael F. Flach
Herald Editor
(From the issue of 6/13/02)

The annual clergy appointments are always highly anticipated. Thirty-six priests and one deacon are affected by the changes this year, as announced by Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde. That means a high percentage of our diocesan clergy will be changing zip codes on June 26. The diocese also rejoices this week with the addition of four new priests to serve God’s people in Arlington.

Only one new "pastor" was announced. Msgr. James W. McMurtrie will be heading to St. Agnes Parish in Arlington. The six new "administrators," because it’s their first assignment as heads of parishes, do not have the full authority of pastors. That can change after they’ve been "on the job" for about a year.

Two long-time pastors are retiring from active ministry this year. Father John J. Hughes and Missionhurst Father John F. Morel have combined to provide 111 years of priestly service to the Church (70 years in Virginia).

An experienced hand returns to the Diocesan Office of Vocations. Father Robert Avella, who served as vocations director from 1978-85 under former Bishops Thomas J. Welsh and John R. Keating, will replace Father Curtis Clark, who will begin his studies in canon law. Father Avella has been the Bishop’s Diocesan Delegate for Clergy since November 1999.

The Youth Apostles undoubtedly are excited about the "return" of Father Jack Peterson, a Youth Apostle priest, to the community’s house in McLean. Father Peterson’s monthly gas bill will be slashed as well. He has beaten a well-worn path between McLean and Fredericksburg, where he served as chaplain at Mary Washington College. He will now be chaplain at Marymount University in Arlington, where another Youth Apostle priest, Father Peter Nassetta, served for many years. Father Nassetta has been Catholic campus chaplain at George Mason University in Fairfax for two years.

The bishop is looking to expand the Catholic presence at Fairfax Hospital by appointing a diocesan priest, Father Daniel S. Spychala, as assistant chaplain. Missionhurst Father Paul Wynants has served as chaplain at the hospital for more than 20 years, but a stroke last year limited his availability.

For some priests, the transition into their new surroundings will be smooth. Others may require a longer period of adjustment. As always, I encourage our readers to welcome their new priests, make them feel at home and continue to pray for them as they serve God’s people in this small corner of the world.

Also, pray for Bishop Loverde and other U.S. Catholic bishops who will begin their spring meeting in Dallas on June 13. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide their deliberations as they attempt to steer the Church through a difficult and pivotal period in her history.

"The vast majority of our priests are faithful in their ministry and happy in their vocation," wrote the bishops in the draft of their "Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People."

"Their people are enormously appreciative of the ministry provided by their priests. In the midst of trial this remains a cause for rejoicing. We deeply regret that any of our decisions have obscured the good work of our priests for which their people hold them in such respect.

"It is within this context of the essential soundness of the priesthood and of the deep faith of our brothers and sisters in the Church that we know that we can meet and resolve this crisis for now and the future."— M.F.F.

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