A Letter from Our Future Pastor

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Dear Divine Mercy Parish and Sacred Heart School,
 
“Jesus, I trust in you!” In truth I must tell you that my appointment as your next pastor was very sudden and unexpected for me, and I have found myself often repeating these words of Sister Faustina over the last few days. Jesus, I trust in you!
 
I am a little familiar with your parish and all that you have accomplished over the last few years. I was ordained as a priest in 2014, and my first assignment was at St. Norbert and Our Lady of the Brook in Northbrook. I was blessed to serve as the associate pastor to Fr. Bob Heinz, and to get to know Fr. Larry Dunn, who lived with us. Occasionally I would help with confessions or Masses at your parish as well. I know that you should be proud of your role in leading the way with Renew My Church, with Alpha, and with evangelization.
 
Since July of 2020 I have been privileged to serve as the pastor of what we now call Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish in Elk Grove Village, the union of the former Queen of the Rosary and St. Julian Eymard parishes. Through the challenge of the pandemic, we worked to bring our two communities together and build a new identity. Our staff and parish pastoral council have been trying to create new ways to increase our presence in the village and to respond to the developing needs that we see. We have also been hard at work renewing and celebrating our Queen of the Rosary School, which just marked its 65th anniversary.
 
As Catholics we recently celebrated the solemnity of the Annunciation and we honored the ready obedience of Mary, even though she did not understand the message that the angel brought to her. In accepting this new appointment as your pastor, I renew my own “yes” to the Lord. It is also a “yes” to all of you.
 
In the meantime, there is still much work to be accomplished where I am now. Although I look forward to joining together with you on our journey of discipleship, it is only right that I keep my present focus here in Elk Grove Village, and for you to celebrate and honor the time that you have had with Fr. Steve Lanza. I am grateful for his welcome to me and for our communication over this last week, so we can ensure a smooth transition.
 
There will be time for more introductions as we get closer to July. Please pray for me and know that I am praying for all of you. Let us now keep our hearts fixed on the Easter mystery that we are about to celebrate. The Lord has done great things for us, and He calls us forward into an ever more abundant life.
 
Jesus, I trust in you!
-Fr. Dan