Dear People of St. Barbara,

I am very pleased to announce to you that just the other day Cardinal George officially appointed me the pastor of St. Barbara Parish. Four years ago, I was appointed administrator of our parish. Around that time, a rather lengthy Canon Law process began which involved my predecessor. Now that the process has been completed, Cardinal George has appointed me your pastor.

I am very honored and happy about this. Over the last four years, I have become very attached to the people of this faith community. Saint Barbara is a good parish with many good people who are very dedicated to their parish. I look forward to serving as your pastor.

I believe the term “pastor” means a great deal, and not just in terms of the Church’s law. There is a spiritual and emotional connotation to the term that speaks about a special type of relationship that a priest has with his people, and they with him. I really want to be a good pastor for all the people of St. Barbara Parish, and I cannot do this without your support. This Year for Priests is a reminder that I am called as one who serves the people of St. Barbara and the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.

In the years ahead, I hope that our bond with one another will be strengthened as we continue to work together to build our community of faith. Most immediately, I look forward to our Centennial year of celebration, which begins on October 24, 2010. St. Barbara has both a great past to remember and a promising future, with both its opportunities and challenges. Please keep me in your prayers so that I may be the type of pastor both you and our Lord wants me to be. I want to assure you that you are always in my prayers. (printed in April 18, 2010 bulletin)

Yours in Christ,

Fr. Dennis Ziomek

Pastor
St. Barbara Parish