PREPARING TO WELCOME A NEW LEADER TO HOLY FAMILY IN JULY 2021!

On June 30, 2021, our Parish Life Director’s assignment at Holy Family will end after 13 years.  We are grateful to Cambria Tortorelli for her years of service at Holy Family and wish her well as she prepares to embark on the next phase of her life.  On July 1, 2021, we will welcome a new Priest Pastor.  The next Priest Pastor will be recommended by the Priest Personnel Board of the Archdiocese to Archbishop Gomez for his approval.

To assist with the preparation of welcoming a new Priest Pastor to Holy Family, Cambria has appointed a Transition Committee.  The Transition Committee has created this web page to keep the parish informed about the timeline of the transition process and to answer any questions you might have.

TRANSITION COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP

The Transition Committee consists of the following members:  Christina Altmayer, April Garcez, Darcie Girmus, Jim Griesgraber, David King, Candy Krueger, Deacon Jay Krueger, Kendrick Kwock, Jane Lee, Ali Magaña, Marlene Moore, Dawn Ponnet, Andrew Reed, Bob Risley, Mary Schimmoller, Cambria Tortorelli and Phil Velasco.

MISSION AND GOALS OF THE TRANSITION COMMITTEE

The mission of the Transition Committee is to facilitate a seamless leadership transition by engaging the entire parish community in the transition process, and to ensure that the new Pastor feels the welcoming and supportive spirit of Holy Family.

The goals of the Transition Committee are as follows:

  1. Create an environment in which the new Pastor is made to feel as welcomed and supported as possible by:

i. Ensuring the new Pastor knows that “All are Welcome” is a central tenet at Holy Family

ii. Ensuring that the Pastor is briefed on what has been done (Master Planning, etc.), what we are doing and what is still to come to make sure that there is a solid foundation for continuity

iii. Providing practical assistance, such as help with moving, ensuring the Rectory fridge is stocked with the Pastor’s choice of foods, etc.

iv. Creating opportunities to meet the parishioners (perhaps a series of Meet and Greets, depending on COVID and the wishes of the new Pastor)

v. Assisting in planning an Installation Mass at a date and time determined by the new Pastor

 

  1. Enable the parishioners and staff to be actively engaged in the transition and welcoming process through prayer and spiritual and emotional preparation for the new Pastor by:

i. Providing consistent and transparent communication with parish/staff about the status of transition

ii. Planning a Mass of the Holy Spirit that the Church may discern the best possible new leader for Holy Family

iii. Asking parishioners to pray for the incoming Pastor

iv. Providing opportunities for the parishioners to get to know more about the new Pastor after May 1st

v. Encouraging parishioners to discern what they can do as individuals and as ministries to make the new Pastor feel welcomed and supported

 

TRANSITION PROCESS TIMELINE

Here is a timeline of the transition process:

November 2020

  • The Archdiocese formally announced the Open Pastorates, including Holy Family Church, South Pasadena, CA.

December 2020

  • A Parish Profile with comprehensive data about Holy Family was sent to the Archbishop to be shared with the Priest Personnel Board and those priests who are applying to Holy Family.
  • Members of the Priest Personnel Board met with staff directors and parish leaders via Zoom to find out Holy Family’s strengths and areas of growth.

January 2021

  • Priest Personnel Board began the discernment process for the Open Pastorate assignments.
  • The Transition Committee held its first meeting.

February 2021

  • Mass of the Holy Spirit held to pray for the discernment of the Church in selecting Holy Family’s next leader (Monday, February 8th at 7 p.m.)
  • Parishioners and staff are encouraged to pray throughout the next three months as the Archdiocese discerns our new leader, as well as to reflect on ways they can welcome and support the new Priest Pastor.

May 2021

  • The Archdiocese will announce the Priest Pastor assignments for the Open Pastorates (May 1st)
  • The Transition Committee will share the bio of the new Priest Pastor with the parish and begin the formal process of welcoming our new leader.

July 2021

  • The new Priest Pastor will begin his assignment at Holy Family on July 1,2021 for a term of up to 12 years.
  • Date for the Installation Mass for the new Priest Pastor will be determined.

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • When will we know who our new Priest Pastor will be?

The Archdiocese will announce the assignments for all the Open Pastorates, including Holy Family, on May 1st.  The Transition Committee will communicate the name of the new Priest Pastor to the parish as soon as possible after the official announcement.  During May and June, we will be sharing biographical information with you about our new Priest Pastor so we can begin to get to know him before he arrives.

  • When will the new Priest Pastor start his assignment at Holy Family?

The new Priest Pastor will begin his assignment on July 1, 2021.

  • What is Cambria going to do? Will she remain at Holy Family?

Cambria is in the process of looking for another job.  She hopes to remain as a parishioner at Holy Family.

  • Will we be able to say goodbye to Cambria?

At the time when Cambria leaves Holy Family, we will celebrate her service to the parish and you will have an opportunity to thank her and say goodbye.

  • How do we know that Holy Family will be assigned a Priest Pastor rather than another Parish Life Director?

Only priests were invited to apply to Holy Family.  It is typical in those parishes where a Parish Life Director has been assigned to have a Priest Pastor appointed after the end of the PLD assignment.

  • What is a Parish Life Director?

A Parish Life Director serves as the spiritual and administrative leader in a parish where there is not a priest pastor. A Parish Life Director works with a Priest Minister who is responsible for the sacramental life of the parish. It is an ecclesial appointment made by the Archbishop or Bishop of the diocese.

  • I have another question which is not answered on this website. Who should I talk to?

If you have other questions, please feel free to contact Mary Schimmoller at mschimmoller@holyfamily.org.

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