Last August I wrote to you in a letter that my three-year term as pastor here at St. Vincent’s would come to a close in the summer of 2009. At that time a Future’s Commission was established to look at the role of leadership here in the parish with a view to the needs of the parish, its future, and my replacement. We were asked at that time by Fr. Jim Swift, C.M., the Vincentian Provincial, to examine various ways in which both the parish and the University might work more closely together in addressing these concerns.

After much discussion and consultation from various groups of the parish, a proposal was drawn up by this Commission and presented to Fr. Swift in St. Louis. That proposal was approved by Fr. Swift and his Council.

Last week we were informed by Cardinal George, in a letter sent to the parish, that Fr. Chris Robinson, C.M. has been appointed the next pastor of St. Vincent’s. Now that we have received that news, we will be able to work towards a smooth transition in leadership here at St. Vincent’s.

That transition to a new pastor will take place on the Feast of St. Vincent de Paul, September 27, 2009. As you can see, the process was lengthy, but I believe it has worked well and that the leadership need here at the parish is on solid ground for the future with the appointment of Fr. Chris, whom most of you know already. So, it will not be a stranger who will be your new pastor, but someone who has been around here for some time.

Personally, I would like to thank all the Commission members, as well as the people of the parish who have helped in this project. It could not have been completed without your direction and guidance.

In Christ,
Fr. Pat Harrity, C.M.

October 5th
Following the 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. masses
In the Parish Center

All parishioners are invited to attend either meeting to share your thoughts, hopes and ideas about future leadership structures for our parish and how to grow our relationship with DePaul University. Each meeting will last no more than 90 min, and refreshments will be served.

My three-year appointment as pastor comes to an end in mid-2009. Given this, my superior, Fr. James Swift, C.M., Provincial of the Vincentians’ Midwest Province, and Fr. Dennis Holtschneider, C.M., President of DePaul University have asked that St. Vincent de Paul Parish work with DePaul University to provide them with recommendations for parish leadership after my departure. With the advice and approval of the General Council, I have asked a group of individuals, including parishioners with experience in leadership roles in the parish, to help facilitate a process to generate these recommendations by November 1, while considering how our relationship with DePaul University might play a role.

The work of this group, known as the Parish Future Coordinating Committee, is to create a process that is as inclusive as possible and collect all the relevant data related to the future of St. Vincent Parish. The Coordinating Committee will be transparent in its work and welcomes input from anyone with an interest in the future of the parish. This group is not a decision-making body. Rather, it will develop recommendations to submit to Fr. Swift and Fr. Holtschneider, who will make the final decision.

Our parish and DePaul University have had a close relationship since the university was founded in 1898, shortly before the parish marked its 25th birthday. In the 110 years since then, each institution has followed its own course -- sharing space and some resources and supporting each other’s goals and mission while still maintaining and developing their own separate identities. Now, an opportunity for further growth and development is on the horizon, and we’d like your help in shaping the future of this relationship and the future of our parish!

On October 5th, immediately following the 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. masses, the Coordinating Committee will be asking for your thoughts, hopes and ideas about future leadership structures for our parish and how to grow our relationship with DePaul University. We will examine both these questions in the context of how to best advance our parish mission:

To share the Word of the Lord;
To strive for holiness in our daily lives;
and To hear the call of Jesus to love God and neighbor.

Please consider what St. Vincent Parish means to you and come ready to share your thoughts on October 5th.

Yours in Christ,
Fr. Pat Harrity, C.M.

Fr. Pat Harrity, Pastor, C.M.
Leslie Linke, Parishioner
Brian Mattorano, Parishioner
Clark McCain, Parishioner
Ron Pateman, Parishioner
Tracy Stack, Parishioner
Linda Vaeth, Parishioner
Mark Laboe, DePaul University Ministry
Fr. Christopher Robinson DePaul, University Ministry, C.M.
Dominic J. Perri, Planning Consultant

Coordinating Committee meeting on Sept. 8, 2008 (clockwise from far left): Fr. Chris Robinson, Mark Laboe, Clark McCain, Leslie Linke, Linda Vaeth, Fr. Pat Harrity, Tracy Stack, Brian Mattorano, Dominic J. Perri.

Photo Credit: R. Pateman