Goodbye, Wonderful People!

Dear Holy Trinity parishioners,
 
This week, my column has a very different purpose: to say goodbye and thank you from the bottom of my heart for making my apprenticeship such an enriching, life-giving experience. I loved connecting with so many of you, hearing stories about your families, discussing faith and love of God, and simply seeing your smiling faces around the parish. I am so glad that I was placed in Portland, but I knew from the beginning that I only had two short years to spend with you while I worked toward my master’s degree from Notre Dame.
 
So it’s with a heavy but grateful heart that I leave you all and keep working toward my future. Just this summer, I have several tasks ahead of me still: finishing my master’s degree, getting married, finding a job, and relocating somewhere. With all this, I would greatly appreciate your prayers, and I’ll keep praying for you too!
 
You’re such a wonderful community, and I know you’ll welcome the next apprentice with open arms. Speaking of the next apprentice, her name is also Ally (what a crazy coincidence!), and you can expect to start seeing her in August. Believe me when I say that she’s extremely lucky to be placed in such a warm, welcoming, vibrant, and faith-filled parish!
 
As for the old Ally (me), if you’d like to keep in touch, you can reach me via email. I’m sorry I wasn’t able to give you a proper in-person goodbye, but I promise I’ll be back for a visit someday when the pandemic is behind us!
 
For now, I leave you with my heartfelt gratitude and prayers. Thank you for making my ministry so meaningful, and thank you for teaching me new lessons about God’s love and faithfulness!
 
Wishing you all the best,
 
Ally, your former apprentice :)