Message from Father Jim
February 18, 2024
What's Going On With Father Jim?
In all honesty, I would like to know! This assignment has been a blessing for me to move into these wonderful faith communities and work, journey and pray as we together try to form the task of becoming one parish with two worship sites. It has been a challenge as well trying to organize and keep informed about the different communities and worship styles. However, it has been an equally difficult challenge for me.
In all honesty, I had COVID in December of 2020 and for the last three years, my health has struggled and suffered. Over time, I was diagnosed with possible heart problems, breathing problems, and blood problems that were creating Blood Clots and DVT’s which can be very dangerous. Amid Doctors and their visits, the last straw was my Lupus diagnosis last May. Health-wise, I have struggled with breathing and energy issues and severe bouts of vertigo as a part of Meniere’s Disease. In all honesty, I wake up each morning and ask, “God, what’s going to happen to me today?”
These health concerns have brought a toll to my work and I petitioned to formally retire from active priestly ministry. After conversations with the Cardinal, our Pastor, and the Directors of Health and PRMAA, my retirement date is March 1, 2024.
I just wanted to share with you this information. There will be two opportunities for me to formally move into retirement. I have Mass scheduled on Saturday, February 24 at 4:00 PM at Saint Pascal with a reception planned afterwards. On Sunday, I will celebrate Liturgy at Saint Bartholomew at 10:00 AM and a few song sections will be bi-lingual. There will be a simple reception after this liturgy as well. Please, if you can come to celebrate with me, I would be most honored. This is a strange time of transition; I assumed I would work until I could not, but God has some other plans for me,
I formally will have a different address and phone number. I also am planning on taking all of March off, and I did promise Father O’Connell that I would continue to be of assistance here at Our Lady of the Rosary in April and beyond if he needs the assistance.. He has been a gracious source of support, as well as Father Mike Shanahan and Father Bart Winters. I don’t have the words to adequately express how overwhelmingly our Pastor has nurtured and cared for me. In all truth, his concern and compassion have been an important part of my life as this past year unfolded.
My address is as follows:
Father Jim Heneghan
3660 N. Lake Shore Drive - Unit 1603
Chicago, IL 60613-5308
Phone number: 773-547-3321, email: [email protected]
I have appreciated your prayers and your support throughout these past years. I truly believe that this is not a “goodbye,” but a new chapter unfolding in all of our lives. I am grateful for the ways you have shown me the love and hospitality of God and for this, I am truly humbled and grateful. You have all touched me by your faith, spirit and love! In you, I have truly been blessed!
In Loving Service,
Father Jim Heneghan
.
What's Going On With Father Jim?
In all honesty, I would like to know! This assignment has been a blessing for me to move into these wonderful faith communities and work, journey and pray as we together try to form the task of becoming one parish with two worship sites. It has been a challenge as well trying to organize and keep informed about the different communities and worship styles. However, it has been an equally difficult challenge for me.
In all honesty, I had COVID in December of 2020 and for the last three years, my health has struggled and suffered. Over time, I was diagnosed with possible heart problems, breathing problems, and blood problems that were creating Blood Clots and DVT’s which can be very dangerous. Amid Doctors and their visits, the last straw was my Lupus diagnosis last May. Health-wise, I have struggled with breathing and energy issues and severe bouts of vertigo as a part of Meniere’s Disease. In all honesty, I wake up each morning and ask, “God, what’s going to happen to me today?”
These health concerns have brought a toll to my work and I petitioned to formally retire from active priestly ministry. After conversations with the Cardinal, our Pastor, and the Directors of Health and PRMAA, my retirement date is March 1, 2024.
I just wanted to share with you this information. There will be two opportunities for me to formally move into retirement. I have Mass scheduled on Saturday, February 24 at 4:00 PM at Saint Pascal with a reception planned afterwards. On Sunday, I will celebrate Liturgy at Saint Bartholomew at 10:00 AM and a few song sections will be bi-lingual. There will be a simple reception after this liturgy as well. Please, if you can come to celebrate with me, I would be most honored. This is a strange time of transition; I assumed I would work until I could not, but God has some other plans for me,
I formally will have a different address and phone number. I also am planning on taking all of March off, and I did promise Father O’Connell that I would continue to be of assistance here at Our Lady of the Rosary in April and beyond if he needs the assistance.. He has been a gracious source of support, as well as Father Mike Shanahan and Father Bart Winters. I don’t have the words to adequately express how overwhelmingly our Pastor has nurtured and cared for me. In all truth, his concern and compassion have been an important part of my life as this past year unfolded.
My address is as follows:
Father Jim Heneghan
3660 N. Lake Shore Drive - Unit 1603
Chicago, IL 60613-5308
Phone number: 773-547-3321, email: [email protected]
I have appreciated your prayers and your support throughout these past years. I truly believe that this is not a “goodbye,” but a new chapter unfolding in all of our lives. I am grateful for the ways you have shown me the love and hospitality of God and for this, I am truly humbled and grateful. You have all touched me by your faith, spirit and love! In you, I have truly been blessed!
In Loving Service,
Father Jim Heneghan
.