Dear Friends,
We must remember that parting need only be a spacial reality. Deep matters of the soul transcend space, and we gather together in the moment of our coming from God. The good things experienced by us in the past live on within us into the future. It is so in friendship. It is very much so in Christ.
My life as a priest for fifty-one years has been filled with joy. You have given me the opportunity to pursue my love of truth, and the honor of working with some of the finest people in the world. You have been most generous in expressing your gratitude and praise for my poor efforts among you. You will be in my mind as I attempt to put on paper the splendor of the human person.
Now I wish to thank the priests, who have been my companions, the Sisters who have been so faithful, but especially you, the people, who are the reason for our existence, and who have cooperated so well in our efforts to bring you closer to Christ, the Truth.
Finally -- again, remember that we, who have together loved and served Our Lord, can part only if we depart from Him. With His help we will not leave Him.
So, farewell until we meet again. Until then and forever, may God keep us in His safe hands.
Fr. O'Brien
[Note: Fr. O'Brien's writings and recordings will be available on the Catholic Primer at http://www.catholicprimer.org/obrien. Fr. O'Brien has agreed to continue to contribute more writings and recordings to that site from his home in Ireland. Two new recordings will be posted there in the coming days.]
