My dear friends,
How grateful I am that Jesus Christ called me to be a priest. On Friday, March 18, I will celebrate my 50th anniversary of ordination at the regularly scheduled noon Mass at the Cathedral of the Assumption in Louisville. I would be honored if you were able to join me for that Mass and stay for a luncheon in the undercroft of the Cathedral immediately following the Mass.
As I prepare to welcome Archbishop-designate Shelton Fabre as our new Archbishop, I am filled with joy and anticipation. He will be a wonderful servant leader, and the Church of Louisville will be blessed! These final days of my pastoral service have been rich and especially full of treasured memories. Every time I receive a letter from someone with whom I have served over the years, I am given the grace of a “gratitude of memories.” As I write to you, I celebrate the wonderful gift of serving the Church of Louisville and befriending so many of you. I thank each of you – priests, deacons, religious and lay leaders. What a beautiful privilege has been mine these past years! Thank you for that goodness.
I look forward to seeing you on Friday, March 18. There is no need to respond before you arrive. If you cannot be with me, please accept my thanks and join me in prayers of gratitude for the gift of my priestly vocation and for the gift of all vocations within the Church.
God love you,
+ Joseph E. Kurtz
P.S. – There will be a follow up letter to priests to prepare for those who wish to concelebrate with me. It will be a joy if you are able to do so.
