By STEVE DABROWSKI
IT SEEMS TO ME
Obi Wan, Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, Tony Stark (aka, Ironman) and Jack Ryan. Gen Xers are in a heyday of nostalgia these days as we ease into our mid-50s. My wife and I saw “Top Gun: Maverick” last night, and this nostalgic journey has found me thinking about endings.
I leave my position with the diocese at the end of June. After 14 years, I believe God is calling me elsewhere – so I stepped out in faith to take a prolonged vacation with my wife and daughter prior to embarking on the next stage of my journey. At my age, that next phase may be the last, the one that leads me to retirement; so I want to discern carefully. This, naturally, dovetails with my philosophical consideration of endings.
Top Gun is a sort of reflection on endings – what they mean and how they impact us. It touches on regret; and a desire to set things right; things we all have experienced. Sadly, life doesn’t typically give us the “Hollywood ending.” I remember the moment and place when the call came to tell me my father had died. For days, I recall having the surreal emptiness at the realization that some things just end – and we don’t always get to say “goodbye” or “I love you.”
To me, endings are among God’s great gifts. Endings remind us that there is a way to bring something to a close without regret or the desire to revisit it. Endings are transitions to some new way of life; and the best way to begin is to end something else well. So, even though I cannot possibly say all I want to in this column, let me try to end well.
Diane’s love for her dogs; Matt’s enthusiasm for guitars; Tim’s passion for amateur radio; Daryl’s love for his children and Donna’s for her grandchildren; Jason’s excitement of Star Wars; Gerald’s draw to snow skiing.. When you see someone you love speak about things or people that enliven them, you gain a glimpse of how God shows them love. We tend to speak about this as a spark, or a heat; it is hard to define, but when you see it, for a fleeting moment, you behold beauty. Thank you, colleagues, for sharing your heart with me.
Ministry drives us, leads us and empowers us as we touch the heart of God. Over 14 years, I’ve seen many fine ministers pour themselves out to point young people to Christ. Sherie, Bryan, Chris, Mary Jo, Mike, Joe, Gail, Becky, Jennifer, Wade, Abraham, Ed, Sharon and numerous others – your sacrifices and passion made me want to work harder, to sacrifice more, to be present in any way I could to join you in the vineyard of the Lord. For my failures, I am sorry; but please know I gave what I was able. Thank you for your witness. I know “German Café” was never enough to say thank you – you deserve so much more.
One of the greatest graces I’ve received is having the honor of seeing exceptional young people grow in saintly virtue. I cannot begin to write all the names here, but I am so grateful to God that I was privileged to walk part of your journey with you. In you I have seen with my own eyes those who will carry the Cross into the future. Thank you for showing me the Church.
I have always said, “I serve at the pleasure of the Bishop of the Diocese of Evansville.” This focused me on my purpose to advance the vision of the bishop in all things, not my own. I am grateful for the opportunity, and I hope I advanced the vision of all three bishops prudently. Thank you Bishop Gettelfinger, (Arch)-Bishop Thompson, and Bishop Siegel for allowing me this ministry.
I could name hundreds of people who have guided me and a smaller number who fought me; and I am grateful to both for teaching me something about the faithfulness and mercy of the God we serve. Both the joys and crosses of the last 14 years have been beneficial. And I am grateful to an untold number of brothers and sisters with whom I have walked.
I cannot avoid a few regrets as I move on, but at least I have been able to say goodbye in my own words. Thank you for reading; it has been a joy to write for you. So, with conviction, it seems to me that this is … The End.