Brothers and sisters,
After a couple of months of gradually winding down and saying goodbyes, it’s official; I’m now on to my next assignment in Rome. I want to thank everyone for the beautiful farewell celebrations, for your gifts, your prayers, and kind words as I prepare to move on and begin my next chapter in ministry. As I’ve often said in the last several weeks, it’s very difficult to be leaving our parish, but you will always be in my prayers, and our parish community will always have a special place in my heart. I hope to return and visit from time to time, and I look forward to seeing you when I’m back in the Mile Square City. And if I can offer a shameless plug, we can always keep in touch through the comments section on my Substack! frphilipmicele.substack.com.
A little over eight years ago, I arrived here as a very inexperienced young priest, and didn’t really know what to expect. I had plenty of anxieties and insecurities, moving to my second assignment so soon after ordination, and coming to work with a Hispanic community when my Spanish wasn’t the greatest. But any unease I felt was dispelled very quickly, as you all embraced me and welcomed me into this parish family. Over the years, even as I’ve had my personal struggles and made plenty of mistakes, you’ve all never ceased to support and encourage me through all of it. I’m eternally grateful for that.
More than anywhere else, Hoboken is the place where I’ve learned what it means to be a priest and a spiritual father. I’ve had the privilege of celebrating the Eucharist with all of you week after week, hearing confessions, anointing the sick, officiating at weddings, and accompanying families as they say goodbye to their loved ones. I’ve been blessed to journey with people as they embrace and grow in our Catholic faith through our OCIA and CCD programs. And given the length of my time here, I’ve had the gift of getting to know many of you pretty well, and forming many beautiful friendships. I pray those will last throughout this life, and into eternity.
I want to express a special gratitude to Fr. Alex, to our staff, and to our volunteers, who do so much to make this parish the loving family that it is. It’s been a tremendous privilege to work and minister alongside you, and even as I move on, I know that our community remains in very good hands. Similarly, a special thanks to all those whom I’ve had the privilege of working with most closely – CCD students, parents, and catechists; our OCIA alumni; and of course, our Hispanic community, whom I have come to love so much. It’s been a joy and a blessing to accompany you on the journey of faith, and I pray that God will continue to bless all of you every day of your lives.
And of course, above all else, I give thanks to almighty God, the source of all our blessings. We priests come and go; the Lord alone remains through all things, and his love and mercy are the same yesterday, today, and forever. May he never cease to lead and guide all of us, and draw us more and more deeply into communion with Himself. And may we never tire of witnessing to the Gospel, and leading others to discover and receive the gift of eternal life.
In Christ’s Love,
Fr. Phil