A letter from Bishop Cary
16 March 2016
Dear Parishioners of St. Francis,
As I write, I am about to leave for the Chrism
Mass and Holy Week in Baker City. There I will spend many hours in St. Francis
de Sales Cathedral, and there I will think, as I always do, of Father Julian.
As pastor there a decade ago, he inspired and oversaw the renovation which made
the Cathedral Church of the Diocese of Baker the jewel it is today. Beautiful images
long-covered-over have been brought back to light. Deep, rich colors draw the
eye to the beautiful sanctuary, dramatically re-centered on the baldacchino over
the tabernacle, with altar and chairs and pulpit before it in
spatially-pleasing proportion. It is a delight to pray in this lovingly
restored House of Prayer. All who do so reap the fruits of Father Julian’s
painstakingly careful renovation.
But the physical
re-doing of our cathedral was not the only renovation Father Julian
accomplished in his thirteen years in the Diocese of Baker. Ask the
parishioners of St. Elizabeth’s in John Day, where he served as pastor his
first two years here. A decade later they will tell you fondly of the creative
ways in which he gently and loving renewed
the life of their parish. Their memories are still fresh and green—and
gratefully felt.
As of course they are with you, the parishioners of his
beloved St. Francis of Assisi. Father Julian came to you over turbulent waters
at an hour of much distress. Not for a second did he hesitate to accept the
challenging assignment his bishop asked him to undertake. With remarkable
calmness, gentleness, patience, and kindness—always kindness—he proceeded to
shepherd you as the priest you hoped he would be for you. And he gained from
you an affection and gratitude that will endure long beyond his impending
departure. Perhaps you feel as I do: I
have thanked Father Julian again and again for the wonderful renovation he has
brought about here, but I know I can never thank him enough.
Thirteen years ago, just before leaving the East
Coast, Father Julian wrote of his hopes for the new ministry he was about to
take up in Oregon. “My main priority,” he assured Bishop Vasa, “is to find a
home in the Baker Diocese and help you in any way I can.” We can all now see
that Father Julian did indeed find a home here, and we count ourselves among
those he found a way to help as a priest. I add my voice to yours in thanking
God for sending him to us, and in asking God to bless him to the end of his
days.
In
Christ Jesus,
Bishop Liam Cary
