Dear Parishioners, I write this note to you as I spend my last week at St. Margaret's. The past nine years have been such a blessing to me. Your generosity, your faith, your integrity have inspired me to be a better priest. If there was an "ideal" parish in our diocese, this is it !! People have asked me, "Father, are you excited about retirement?" I would always answer "I wouldn't use the word 'excited,' I am looking forward to it." After forty four years of ministry, it will be strange not to do the daily ministry of a priest. I will especially miss our beautiful liturgies- the energy, the singing, the sincere expression of the faith of our people. For the summer, I will be "sitting in the pew" at various churches. After that, I will help my priest friends on occasion if they want to get away or have an emergency. Of course, visits to St. Margaret's will be on the list! I want to thank the staff members that I have worked with over the years. They have been professional and dedicated to the ministry of the parish. I appreciate their prayers and support of my ministry. We are so blessed to have Deacon Dan Reynolds with us. He is a man of deep faith. It has been a pleasure working with him and "mentoring" him during the past year. You will be in good hands with his leadership! I thank my family for all their support over the years. They have visited on holidays and various occasions and they are here this weekend to celebrate my retirement. Most of all, I am grateful to all of you, our beloved parishioners. Thank you for sharing your faith with me, for your prayers and your love for the Lord. These years have been a very enjoyable journey with you. You will always be in my thoughts and prayer. God bless you now and always! Fr. Paul Alciati

Happy Father's Day to all.