How to welcome your new squatter-priest, diocese of Niagara style.

Welcoming a new priest is just as important as welcoming anyone else into our church community – and all the more challenging as they bring their new gifts and opportunities to a leadership position.

In the Diocese of Niagara, we believe that transition is happening even before a new priest is welcomed into your parish. With that in mind, FRESH START sees itself as a resource to parishes, parochial committees and clergy once news of a move is announced.
After the new incumbent arrives, clergy will receive an invitation to join a clergy FRESH START group, which meets on a monthly basis for two years. In Niagara , commitment to this program is a condition of employment. The clergy group offers a place for questioning and affirmation, through what can sometimes be a difficult time. Remember, for many clergy this is a personal as well as a professional transition.

It is understandable that Niagara is one of the dioceses using Fresh Start to introduce new priests. After all, they have had such a lot of practice at the clergy-conga in St. Hilda’s alone. In less than a year there was Brian Ruttan with his congregation of zero – come to think of it there was no-one to introduce him to; then Martha Tatarnic – actually there was no-one to introduce her to either since she brought her congregation from St. Jude’s; then Cheryl Fricker – yet again with no introduction needed since she brought her own troop of Celts.

Perhaps it should be renamed False Start in Niagara.