Letters

Timely Article

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Carol Glatz’ article, “As School Year Ends…” (CNY, June 8) quotes Pope Francis’ remark: “If you don’t learn to say goodbye well, you will never learn how to encounter new people.” After calling it home for 50 years and “marrying off” our four children, my wife and I have contracted for the sale of our house on Staten Island.

Having said “goodbye” to too many friends and associates who have either died or moved does not now seem to have been as difficult as it is to say goodbye as the one leaving.  Leaving the parishes, schools and the beautifully strong Catholic friends we encountered on Staten Island to open a new chapter in the “over 55 communities” of New Jersey is a mixed bag of emotions. Ms. Glatz quotes the pope as calling the change “a challenge” (as opposed to a fear).

Rather than extending a “goodbye” to Staten Island and the Archdiocese, we want to express a loud and grateful “thank you.” Friendships via Marriage Encounter, Holy Name, parish priests and deacons, parish baseball and basketball leagues, Knights of Columbus, Third Order of Carmelites and steadfast neighbors are, and will always be, an integral part of who we are.  Even though we are not natives (having moved to Staten Island from Brooklyn a mere 50 years ago), we have “grown up” in our faith and commitment to Catholic principles because of the support and guidance we received from the strong Staten Island faithful. We are not leaving you behind, we are taking you with us to meet our new “challenge.”

Ken and Pat Horstman

Staten Island

The writers are parishioners of St. Rita’s, Staten Island.