Fr. Robinson's Farewell Letter

Dear Parishioners,

This is my station. I get off here. It has been a beautiful journey and I have to go through a different road, but to the same destination. The past three years, my first ones as a priest, have allowed me to enter into the mystery of the Church in a new way. It is the Church of Christ of which we are all members and the same Church that brings together. This community is blessed, and I have been blessed by being a part of it.

Gratitude is the main lesson that I take from St. Joe’s and an attitude that I bring in my heart. First, I want to express my gratitude to Fr. Trout. His constant messages on gratitude have marked the life of this community, which we can even see in the tagline of the Carpenter’s cover. I am grateful to Fr. Trout for his trust, confidence, and encouragement during my time at St. Joe’s. He has been very supportive of my life as a priest and as a person. He is a gentleman and I hope to put into practice what he has taught me. I also want to thank Fr. Martin and Fr. Hennessey. Our time together gave me a great certainty of fraternity and respect for the diverse cultures we represent.

My gratitude goes now to the St. Joe’s staff in the parish and at the school. Thank you for all you have done for me and our community. Your love for Christ and his community is truly inspiring. Your work is appreciated by our parishioners and visitors. I appreciate your commitment. Thank you for allowing me to work with you in many projects that benefit our community. Thank you also for your patience and support. Thank you for teaching me the importance of teamwork and collaboration. Though I still have a long way to go on this, the challenge in front of me requires that I put into practice the learning experiences that this staff has offered me as a young priest.

My heart is grateful for the Altar Servers and the Altar Servers Team. Serving at the altar is close to my heart because I was an altar server in my teen years. Being so close to the Eucharist helped me strengthen the Lord’s call to the priesthood. There is something beautiful in serving the Lord in the liturgy: the whole community comes together as brothers and sisters to listen to the Word of God and share his eternal food. The altar servers and all those who are part of this ministry facilitate that encounter between us and our Creator. I encourage all the children and young people to be open to God’s voice. Listen to Him in the Bible, the Mass, the prayers you say every day, the beautiful and challenging moments in your family. God is there for you, He is always present, and He loves you. Love Him in the Eucharist, in the sacraments, and in your brothers and sisters.

Finally, I am so grateful to all of you, dear parishioners. I feel your love for God, the Church, your parish, and for me. Your love has sustained my faith and ministry. Your commitment to the Church keeps my hope alive. Your solidarity with others, from this community and beyond, is a sign that God is truly present at St. Joe’s in Libertyville.

May the Father continue to bless each one of your families and keep you united in His love. May Christ be the companion of children, youth, adult and the elderly. May the Holy Spirit enlighten your minds and hearts, so that through the sacred liturgy, service to the community, formation in the faith, and love of one another, this community will remain vibrant and exultant. May the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph intercede for all of you before his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

Dear friends, I will always remember and pray for you. Please pray for me and for my new community at St. Stanislaus in Posen, IL. If you want to stay in touch with me, find me on social media or email me at rortiz@archchicago. org

With my deepest gratitude to God and to you,

Fr. Robinson Ortiz
Associate Pastor