“Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Dear St. Michael Parish,
On my last weekend of service here at St. Michael’s, my heart is heavy at the thought of leaving, but also excited at the adventures that lie ahead. Above all, my heart is full of praise and thanksgiving for the rich gifts given to me here by our gracious and loving Father through each one of you.
My first thanks go without question to Father Larry Van Damme, our pastor. He has been a friend and mentor to me since he was appointed to St. Mary and St. Joseph Parish in Iron Mountain as a newly ordained priest in 1993, my home parish. To have his example, friendship, encouragement, and guidance during my first two years of priesthood has been a rare and precious blessing. Only a very few times have I been in the chapel to pray before him. He has had to live with me in the rectory, no small penance! Neither my room, my office, nor my schedule have been models of tidiness and order, but he has borne with me very patiently. We have celebrated Mass together, sat in adjacent confessionals, paddled our kayaks, and sat up for many long hours talking of life and ministry and God’s mercy. I forgive him for eating all my leftovers! I know I have learned a great deal and am a better man and a better priest because of his generous friendship.
After Father Larry, I have probably spent the most time working with Catherine Hardenbergh, our pastoral and campus minister. Cat also grew up in Iron Mountain, and we already knew each other from the Youth Encounter Movement. We have spent long hours late into the night with the NMU students. Cat has generously shown me the ropes and taught me out of her years of campus ministry experience, along with helping me navigate the many details of parish life. I admire her commitment and generous love for the students and parish, as well as her courageous balancing of family and ministry.
It has been a pleasure, too, to work and pray with Deacon Dennis Maki. He and Father Larry and I all share the same birthday! Deacon Dennis has been consistent in generosity and fidelity. I have been particularly struck by his devotion to the inmates of Marquette Branch Prison, and it has been inspiring to collaborate with him there.
Serving at St. Michael’s, Catholic Campus Ministry, and Fr. Marquette School means being part of a very large team of staff and volunteers, and a member of a large and varied parish family, far too many good and loving people and groups to list in any adequate way here. It is only the lack of space that keeps me from continuing this list for dozens of pages. You welcomed me, taught me, and were patient and forgiving. I have seen you offer generous and loving service without counting the cost. It is with you that I have experienced my first weeks and months of joy at celebrating the Eucharist, of awe at God’s infinite mercy in the Sacrament of Penance, of humility in the Anointing of the Sick. It is with you that I have discovered the enormous variety of needs in a parish, God’s generous grace, and the challenge of navigating such bountiful opportunities with wisdom and discernment.
Some of my greatest joy and fun has been with the youth of the parish and Catholic Campus Ministry. With the school, the middle school youth group, the Scouts, CCM, the Frassati Society, and in other ways I have had the privilege of praying, laughing, eating, and learning with you young men and women. Whether in Mass, retreats, trips, or on snowshoes, I see great hope for our Church in you. God is calling you to holiness and joy in His Church… do not be afraid!
To each and every member of this parish I offer my deepest and heartfelt thanks. It is hard to believe that two years have already passed by, yet they have been so very full. We will never outdo the Lord in generosity… but let’s keep trying! Know that you will be in my thoughts and prayers; please keep me in yours.
God Bless,
Father Ben Hasse
benjhasse@yahoo.com
Along with this letter, I included a number of photos highlighting the many blessings of these past years... this link will take you to those photos and quite a few more in a Facebook album (no need to have an account to view these photos): Highlight Photos on Facebook
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