July 10, 2022 – A Word of Thanksgiving from Fr. Frantz
Greetings,
As this is Fr. Frantz’s last weekend with us here in our parishes, I share here his own word of thanks.
Peace,
-Fr. Kevin
Sisters and brothers, today I would like to offer my words of thanksgiving and gratitude to you and for you as I am reaching the end of my time among you.
As you well know, Iowa Falls, Eldora, Ackley, and Hampton are the first parishes that I have served in the Archdiocese of Dubuque and in the US. I don’t need to tell you how much you have come to mean to me and how you are written deep in my heart in LARGE gold letters. First, I thank God and second Archbishop Michael, for sending me to you for enriching my experience in the U.S. and on my priestly journey.
I must tell you that at the beginning of my time here it was difficult for me since I came in the middle of the pandemic. But as time went by, I began to meet you in person and you made me feel welcomed and really part of the church community. Sometimes, some of my friends would ask me if I was okay since they knew I was here in Iowa far away from my family, Haiti, and my diocese. I would tell them over and over again: Yes, I was good because of YOU. YOU have all made me feel like I am part of your family in the manner in which you treat me, always with kindness and love. Whenever I am with you, you make me feel comfortable and I feel confident. These last two years, I have spent time with you at your homes and on your farm and you have given me so many wonderful experiences and memories in eating, fishing, driving four-wheelers, horses, and pickleball to mention a few.
Yes, I have to leave to go to another church family since this is the reality of the mission and life as a priest, but I want to reassure you that my heart remains united and one with yours. Sometimes, I hope to come back to see and talk to you as you have become as much of my life as I have of yours. And you too, remember that you are my first American parish family in the U.S. and in Iowa. This means that your visits, advice, suggestions, and guidance have and will continue to mean so much to me. Please feel free to contact me and talk to me whenever you would like.
Indeed, I am grateful and thankful for the friendship and love you have shown me. Thank you also for your patience, understanding, and support and your gestures of generosity for my studies, for helping me with my car, and also for generously supporting Haiti, my native country. You have helped me grow in becoming a more confident English speaker and I will try to stay out of trouble. All the skills that you have contributed and helped me to gain will enable me to serve other students and the people of God who I have yet to meet.
I want to say a special thanks to Father Kevin for his sense of brotherhood. Though we have different earthly parents, he has truly become my brother. Sometimes, some people asked me if Fr. Kevin treated me well, I simply said YES but what I didn’t say was that I actually harmed him more by eating his food that he would leave in the fridge. I would eat it before he could and he never was angry. I thank God for Fr. Kevin for who he is and who he will be. He has shown me his brotherly love and friendship from the beginning until this very minute I am speaking.
I also thank God for all my friends everywhere who have supported me and continue to support me during my mission here in the United States!
Once again, thank you all my dear parishioners, my dear friends. Pray for me, for my new mission and I also assure you that I will keep you in my prayers always!
Thank you and I love you all!
Fr. Frantz.
