many people have expressed appreciation for what I have done here. I am grateful for all those kind words.  Some people have also expressed anxiety about the future and I certainly understand that.  The unknown is always somewhat frightening.  Let me note that those same concerns existed 20 years ago when I was coming to St. Paul and 11 years ago when I was appointed pastor of Holy Family.  The most important fact about the incoming pastor is that he will not be me and it is unrealistic to expect that from him just as it would have been unreasonable to expect me to be like some former parish priest.  The new pastor will come with his own strengths and weaknesses just as I and every other priest ever assigned here.  That leads me to my final point in this note.  I have been here because the bishop assigned me here.  I am leaving because the bishop is assigning me elsewhere.  I certainly expressed my own preferences, however, I do not make assignments for priests, the bishop does.