St. John School
77 Murray Avenue
Goshen, NY 10924
February 11, 2009
Dear Parents:
As I am sure most of you already know, after ten years of ministry as Principal here at Saint John School, I will be leaving this August. My stay at Saint John’s has been a very wonderful and fulfilling way for me to serve God’s people. The mission of spreading God’s word to which as a Dominican Sister I have been called was actualized through my work here. I loved almost every moment of these past ten years. I shall miss the children the most, but also the relationships I have had with you, the parents. My memories of this wonderful place in a land called Goshen will enable me to continue doing God’s work.
My Congregation, the Sisters of Saint Dominic of Blauvelt, New York, has granted me a four month sabbatical so that I may refresh and renew not only my physical well being but my spiritual life as well. Please keep me in your prayers during this time. I am looking for another ministry, which will be a lot closer to my home in Blauvelt. This new ministry will begin in January. I shall be at our Festival in September and perhaps I shall see some of you there. Maybe I’ll even be invited back for a play or an event next year. I do hope so. I shall enjoy being with you again and catching up.
Let me close with a prayer for all of us who minister in Catholic education – you as parents, the teachers, and certainly the children:
We ask your blessing, O God:
we need your steadfast presence.
In our discouragement and fatigue,
grant us laughter and support.
In our vision, give us zeal.
In our weakness, we ask that you accept us.
And in the beauty that is ours,
grant that we might stand in truth.
Bless us now, in all things good and human.
For all things and those yet to be,
we pray in thanks. Amen.
Lovingly and gratefully in Saint Dominic,
Sr. Barbara Werner, OP