How did this all come about?

Sabbatical 2008

Earlier this year I mentioned the possibility of a sabbatical and requested some input as to what that might look like for me. A sabbatical is a period of time that a person takes for education, re-focus, and renewal in a certain subject or, in my case, ministry. I received a number of insightful suggestions and with the help of some parish members, I applied for a sabbatical grant through the Lilly Foundation based in Indianapolis. The foundation has a reputation for assisting parishes and churches of all denominations in renewal. They believe that if you renew your pastors you renew the churches. The grant for this renewal program is entitled, “What will make your heart sing?” I applied in May after many weeks of thought and meetings of the committee. I was granted the sabbatical in October. Pastor Ted Drewson from Pilgrim United Church of Christ also applied for a grant and was accepted. Our grants have different goals and are not the same.

My sabbatical will begin April 20th (aprox.) and conclude July 20th. It’s a sabbatical that I anticipate will indeed make my heart sing as well as entice some melodies from Holy Family Parish as well. The sabbatical rationale begins with the fact that three churches of various ethnic backgrounds are closing here in Fond du Lac and my desire to keep these ethnic spirits alive. Being half Irish I wrote the grant beginning there. I’m spending a month at “All Hallows College” in Dublin participating in a clergy renewal program. Some of this includes Celtic or Irish study. I’m heading to Jerusalem for a scripture study program that begins June 1st. This program, operated through the University of Notre Dame is located near Bethlehem just outside of Jerusalem and includes on site visitation to the places mentioned in the bible as well as classes and opportunity for personal study and research. Also in this sabbatical I will take a tour covering the “Journey’s of St. Paul.” This tour includes also biblical study and a trip that would include those places visited by St. Paul: Ephesus, Corinth, Philippi, etc. Also included in the sabbatical is a two-week stay in Nova Scotia, home of another strong Celtic community and “Gaelic College” where I hope to do some further work.

Upon my return, built into the sabbatical grant, begins a series of programs that celebrate our cultural heritage. We’ll have a program in Celtic Spirituality, a program in Celtic Music and Dance, and one in music and story telling. That’s what’s covered in the grant. I’m hoping we can continue our cultural heritage celebration with something similar that will focus on our French, German, Hispanic and Hmong heritage. This sounds terrific to the committee and me and I hope many of you will also be able to benefit from this experience. If you’re interested in being part of the committee, please let me know.

The Lilly Grant also states that if the parish accepts the grant, the pastor has to remain in his parish for at least a year after completing the experience. (That should squelch the rumors that I’m leaving!!!) The Foundation pays not only my expenses, but also the priest who will take my place when I’m gone. This unique experience costs the parish nothing, but will add some strain on our already overworked parish staff and volunteers.

I look forward to my sabbatical experience and you as parish are very much involved in that experience. I’ll keep you updated through bulletin announcements as well as a weekly (or even daily) Internet blog that I’ll be posting from the locations I’ll be at.

I’ll keep you informed as to the latest developments as they occur.


Fr. Pat