Dear Parishioners,
As the saying goes, “what goes around comes around.” My life journey all started at St. Joseph College Seminary off Grant Road and Foothill Expressway. It was 1980. I was only eighteen. Now some forty-three years later, I arrive as the second pastor of the parish of St. Nicholas & St. William. It will be my twenty-sixth consecutive year as a pastor. Watch out, Cal Ripken!
Just a few days after Easter, I was asked if I would be willing to leave St. Francis of Assisi Parish for a new assignment. Having just left as pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Palo Alto five years earlier, I was familiar with the parishes in the northern portion of our Diocese. In Palo Alto, we had three churches! It would be fair to assume our Bishop thought I was a perfect fit for St. Nicholas & St. William Parish.
I have learned much over the years; however, there are two things I treasure most. First, earn the people’s trust. Second, earn the people’s respect. Everything thereafter will take care of itself. One of the many questions you may have is, “What is your vision for St. Nicholas & St. William Parish?”
• We are a community of worship centered on Word & Sacrament. Summoned by the Gospel we gather each Sunday as a Eucharistic people.
• We are a servant community looking beyond our own needs to the needs of others.
• We are an evangelizing community sent forth to give witness as disciples commissioned and sent by the Lord Jesus.
• Lastly, we are a faith community whose commitment to formation in the Catholic tradition offers opportunities for lifelong growth and understanding of our Catholic faith.
We may have different agendas, different world-views, different theologies, different politics, different ways of doing things; however, we must be willing and able to work together, to labor together, and yes, even to suffer together for all that is good, and right, and true in building up God’s Kingdom here on earth.
Every new pastor takes up his duties on July 1, the feast day of St. Junipero Serra. “Serra had a motto which inspired his life & work—siempre adelante! Keep moving forward. He kept moving forward, because the Lord was waiting—his brothers and sisters were waiting. Today, we say: Forward! Let us keep moving forward.” ~ Pope Francis
Fr. Matthew D. Stanley