Looking back at the weekly messages of Father Paul Counce, first published in The Carpenter, our weekly Parish Bulletin
Published: January 14, 2018
The “new” year of 2018 is now well underway. Most “new” years turn out to be quite like “old” years: same weather, same people, same concerns, and so forth. The well-known words of the Old Testament sage Qoheleth usually come true: “There is nothing new under the sun” (Eccles 1:9c).
Yet here at St. Joseph Cathedral this year is already turning out to be quite different from the past 21 years. Mrs. Sheila Juneau, who has served as our Director of Administration and Bookkeeper since she was hired by Father Frank Uter in 1997, gave notice last week that this month would be her last here. She has accepted another job offer nearer to her home and mother and children and grandchildren, one that should afford her more regular hours and more coworkers to share administrative burdens. Her last day here will be Friday, February 2.
I do admit that my first reaction was disappointment. After all, Sheila and I have been good friends and colleagues since 1985 when as pastor of St. Pius X Parish in north Baton Rouge I first hired her. She is an extremely knowledgeable, competent, and scrupulously honest and fair lay worker in the fields of church administration and finance. My gratitude for all she has done is immense – and I’m sure I can speak for all of the other priests with whom she’s served, and especially my immediate predecessor, Father Jerry Young. I really don’t think I can find adequate words to frame these thanks, although I’ve already started trying. An opportunity will be provided for all of us to share our feelings of appreciation for her: keep reading The Carpenter to find out when!
All this being said, I wish her well and honestly do hope that she does find her new job as well as the advantages of a shorter commute to be a wonderful change for her. May her new work-load really be lighter than the one she’s leaving behind! I know she will be leaving the books, and the files and her desk here in the Parish Office, very well-organized and ready for the future. Fortunately, she’ll be only a phone-call away if – no, I really mean when! – we can’t remember who to call or how best to do something.
In the short term, the first thing to be done is to hire a Bookkeeper, for bills still have to be paid, paychecks issued, and monies deposited and reconciled. This is a part-time position but an important one. If you know of someone with bookkeeping experience, and especially the management of accounts receivable and payable, let me know about them or let them know about our need.
Eventually, of course, I also will be looking to hire someone – almost certainly someone else – to be the Operations Manager for the Parish. Not only our facilities but also the various activities and persons who are employed or offer services on Cathedral Square need coordination and supervision. It’s something that priests can do – and in the interim I will have to be more “hands-on” for a little while, that’s certain! – but it’s best for both priests and the people they serve if someone else can handle these more practical things. Spiritual matters, after all, should take precedence for the clergy, and business-management is hardly ever something we’re very interested in.
So, there really is some “news” to start the New Year off! Keep praying for the welfare of all of us here in the Cathedral Parish, and for Sheila in particular as she prepares to depart.
Sincerely yours in the Lord,
Fr. Paul
