Post Messenger Recorder -

"Every experience God gives us, every person He puts in our lives is the perfect preparation for the future that only He can see." – Corrie ten Boom

"God has blessed me in many ways during the past 15 years at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Albany, and the past 11 years at St. Francis of Assisi," said Father Mick Moon. "During these years, I have learned and grown from accompanying each other on our faith journeys."

Father Mick added that he especially enjoyed his experiences while celebrating the sacraments together including: Baptism, confession, the Eucharist, confirmation, marriage, and the anointing of the sick.

"Celebrating those sacraments in this worship space (St. Francis of Assisi), the St. James Chapel, St. Patrick's Catholic Church, in homes, or hospital rooms, helped me get to know many parishioners," said Father Mick. "The goodness of God is in all of these places."

On July 11, after the 10:30 a.m. Mass, parishioners gathered for a catered picnic to honor and thank Father Mick for his dedication and service to the parish before he officially retires.

Father Mick said that during his homilies, that he tried to emphasize that what the Lord calls us to do he will also help us to do.

"I have purposely used visuals at times such as my jar and Ziplock bags of marbles, a fishing net, a picture of the Prodigal Son returning home, a baptismal candle, etc., because our society has become a society of increasingly visual learners," explained Father Mick. "Visuals tend to stick and stay with us and so my hope has been that by Wednesdays you may find it easier to recall part of the last weekend's homily."

He recalled that council and committee meetings have been informative and practical to getting projects started and completed, "and reminded me of our parishioners' diverse talents and gifts from God," added Father Mick.

He described the significance of elements in the church, and pointed out how if you stand in a certain spot near the baptismal font, you can see the reflection of Jesus on the Cross at the front of the church, in the baptismal font.

Father Mick recalled once when a worker was at the church to replace some lighting fixtures he fell from a scaffold and was blessed to land on the cushioned seat instead of the concrete floor.

"That day a miracle happened in our place of worship as the worker could have been seriously injured, or even killed," said Father Mick.

He reminisced about the annual roast pork and baked chicken dinners with raffles and silent auctions, as well as weekend socials.

"These activities have helped us to get better acquainted and promoted teamwork," said Father Mick, and acknowledged the financial support from parishioners who made it possible to pay off the mortgage two years and four months ahead of schedule.

After sharing the Gospel during his last Mass, Father Mick said it seemed like Jesus was teaching Discipleship 101 to His Apostles and to us.

"Travel lightly. Embrace simplicity. Stay focused on what can be life-changing. Lean on Me as you would lean on a walking stick. Travel two by two so that you are seen as credible witnesses and to be prayer partners for one another - great ideas to live by."

During retirement, Father Mick is looking forward to filling-in for weekend and weekday Masses throughout the Diocese, assisting in parishes with Spanish-speaking parishioners, resuming to offer Mass at Oakhill Correctional Institute in Oregon, and finding a balance with leisure activities.

"I enjoy reading and walking while meditating and I'm hoping to 'stop to smell the roses,' added Father Mick. "I've enjoyed praying with people and treating their trust as a sacred confidence and helping them to understand that walking into difficult situations is challenging but to remember the presence of the Lord."

Reflecting over the last 11 to 15 years, Father Mick said that watching people connect with others with generosity and hospitality meant a great deal to him - it's part of the Lord's work.

"And to see people living out their faith journeys with enthusiasm and commitment with others especially makes me happy," said Father Mick. "Each of us has a faith journey story to share and I urge you to share your stories in formal and informal settings."