Fr. Gerhart on His Retirement

Dear brothers and sisters of Nativity Church,

Many of you have shared with me the celebration of my 75th birthday and recent retirement after 41 years as a parish priest, with the last 16 years being here at Nativity. To have gotten to know you is my greatest happiness and I am thankful that I could be with you all of these years. I thank all of you for the love and support you have extended to me.

Since July my position has changed, but this does not mean that I will stop being an active priest. Mass celebrations, confessions, baptisms, weddings, and funerals as well as sick calls and meetings with the Catholic Daughters, and Bible classes will continue.

I want to express my sincere gratitude for the many gifts and kind words and deeds shown to me since my recent retirement. I am also thankful to everyone who contributed toward the purchase of the car that I received upon my retirement. Fr. Tran was also generous in making this gift possible, and for that I am grateful.

Sincerely,

Fr. Gerhart Habison

Thank You

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

I would like to thank everyone for your generous participation in making possible the retirement gift for Father Gerhart. The new car, with which he is quite pleased, was over 50% paid with your recent contributions. It truly shows how we as a parish appreciate the gift of the priesthood.

Father Gerhart is quite settled into his new phase of life after a well guided and supported transition. As with any retirement, he will now enjoy an obligation-free break from work and duty. However, being a priest, he continues to identify himself with the celebrating of the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist. Therefore, he has agreed, as long as he is with us and health permits, to celebrate Mass weekly Saturday morning and Sunday evening. He is also happy to help out with confession each Saturday afternoon. He is certainly free to offer his time and service for other pastoral or sacramental needs here at Nativity or even outside of the parish. If you prefer him to respond to your specific spiritual need that utilizes the church facility, please contact the parish office for a proper arrangement to avoid any conflict.

Join me once again to congratulate Fr. Gerhart and to wish him a happy, healthy, and holy retirement!

Fr. Tran