September 24, 2023

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, A couple of people have asked me about what I plan to change in our parish or what is my agenda for the parish. I have no plan to change anything at this time as I do not really know you or the parish. My first task is to pray with you, to get to know you and to listen to you. When I was a new pastor the most common questions I asked were, “What did you do last year?” and “How did it work out?” I will be counting on you, the good people of our parish, to share with me your hopes and dreams for our community, how we can be build on the good that has been done over the years at St. Edward’s, and how I can be of service to you. This will help me to discern with you in the weeks and months to come where the Lord is calling us to go as individuals and as a parish.

Others have asked me about my interests/hobbies, etc. I love being a priest/bishop and so tend to throw myself into my ministry. Apart from that, I enjoy visiting with friends, traveling (last month I was able to visit Scotland [as I am not THE bishop of Orange, I was given a diocese that used to exist that no longer exists—a titular diocese. Mine is in Scotland so we had an amazing day seeing the old Cathedral—now Scottish Presbyterian--as well as visiting the present Roman Catholic diocese]), baseball, reading religious books or mysteries. Please know of my prayers for you this week,

Bishop Tim Freyer