Saying Goodbye and Hello

A few weeks ago we said good-bye to a priest that we loved and everyone was sad. Today, June 19, 2016, we welcomed our new priest with tremendous applause to say hello! The church was decorated with beautiful arrangements of flowers.

Father Chris Renner told us he comes from Boulder, Colorado (Sacred Heart Parish) and spoke at all masses by introducing himself.  Instantly, I liked his sense of humor.  Before mass began, he asked for any visitors or people that were new to the parish. When no one responded he said, "Well, I am new and I am happy to be here."

Before the homily, he gave a brief introduction of who he was and where he had served as a priest. He mentioned Denver, Julesburg, Evergreen, Boulder, and maybe others but my memory cannot retain too much at one sitting. I thought he looked too young to have been at all those places because he does have a youthful appearance. I learned that he was born in Kansas but has lived in Boulder most of his life. His parents still live in Boulder in the home where he grew up.

Paraphrasing what he said, "People are striving to be holy and a priest is here to help people reach that goal and I hope I can do that." It was interesting that when he was in Evergreen, he had his very own groupies and they followed him to Spirit of Christ. When I was going to take his picture with some of the people from Spirit of Christ, I asked a couple if they would stand by Father. The couple smiled and informed me they had driven in from Evergreen because they love Fr. Chris. I eventually found two SOC persons and was able to take their picture with Fr. Chris. It seemed as if everyone who attended mass greeted Father and some went into the Spirit Center for coffee and donuts.

It was a beautiful mass with our new pastor and I am looking forward to hearing his homilies and getting to know him.

Welcome to Spirit of Christ, Fr. Chris!