Fr. Hugo Will Be Leaving Us
Dear Friends,
Just a couple points:
1. I had a wonderful vacation in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands with two of my priest friends. It was very good to get away and very good to return home and sleep in my own bed. I appreciate all those who took up the slack in the parish while I was enjoying R & R.
2. When I returned, I got a call from Fr. Ray Sacca, priest personnel director of the Oakland Diocese, to say the board is recommending that Fr. Hugo move to another parish. Here are the facts: Fr. Hugo has applied for “incardination,” which means he is asking to be a permanent member of the Oakland Diocese. This is a five-year period of testing and orientation. It entails two separate assignments. Since Fr. Hugo has been here for three years, the Personnel Board is recommending a change of assignment this year. The plan is for Fr. Hugo to go to St. John’s in San Lorenzo, but at the same time to continue his wonderful ministry with the Brazilian community here in our parish. We will be receiving another priest, Fr. Rolando Bartolay. This change will happen in July, and we will negotiate the details with Fr. Sacca. … I just want to say that Fr. Hugo Franca has been a fantastic addition to our ministry here at St. John’s. He is hard-working, very dedicated to serving our people, generous with his time and very easy to live with in the rectory. We will all really miss him. However for a young priest, it is important that he get a diversity of experience as he becomes a priest of our diocese. Of course, we will have a grand farewell party for him. Lastly, I am pleased that the Personnel Board recognizes the needs of our Brazilian community and wants this important group to grow and prosper with good clergy support.
Peace,
Fr. John Maxwell
