Fr. Juan Pablo has been granted a sabbatical beginning July 1, 2023, and concluding on December 30, 2023.

This appointment is made with gratitude for his service to the Church of Chicago, and the understanding that he will return to his position as Pastor at Transfiguration Parish in Wauconda.

Fr. J. Alexander Garcia will be the Administrator during this period of time.

     The Sabbatical Program seeks to strengthen parishes by providing opportunities for pastors to step away briefly from the persistent obligations of daily parish life to engage in a period of renewal and reflection. Renewal periods are not vacations,
but times for intentional exploration and reflection, for regaining the enthusiasm and creativity for ministry, for discovering what will make the pastor’s heart sing.

     Pastors serve a variety of roles in their privileged positions at the center of parish life: preacher, teacher, spiritual guide, pastoral visitor, friend, confidant. The responsibilities are continual, and the pace and demands of parish life can be relentless, often leaving even the most dedicated pastors recognizing the need to replenish their own spiritual reservoirs to regain energy and strength for their ministry.

     Life-giving experiences-strengthening relationship, renewing a sense of call, meeting and serving the neighbor in a new way, finding joy and purpose in a simplified life, traveling to new lands and unfamiliar territories, creating opportunities where members of the congregation can exercise their gifts for ministry– are common
themes of these renewal times. Profound discoveries that pastors and their faithful describe as “life-changing events” occur as they participate in this program.
Ministry is profoundly important, not only to the people directly served, but also to the larger community and society.

     Congratulations Fr. Juan Pablo in this time of renewal. Well deserved!