Fr. Kleinmann at St. Mary's Old Town

[Anonymous]

At mass last week, Fr. Kleinmann announced he was being reassigned to another parish in Chantilly. He said, "I want to apologize if I have ever failed you individually or as a parish?". What is this all about? I know his health was poor, but is there something more that I'm not in the know about? Anyone know anything about the new pastor? We have been at the school and parish for less than a year and don't have the insider knowledge. My husband and I were alarmed by that statement. What does it mean and is there anything behind it?

[Anonymous]

It's the annual pastor shift that the diocese does. Some shifts are based on performance, some on parish size, some on style of pastor, and some because the Bishop is unhappy with the pastor. Maybe the collections are down? Maybe the diocese is getting regular complaints about something? Who knows.

[Anonymous]

Maybe something about a previous priest may come to light? Could be he is just setting his house in order - he has been there so long and really kept the parish and school so focused and really top tier. This will be a big change. Can't imagine Chantilly is a step up.

[Anonymous]

I really liked him and am sad to see him go. I think he has been there 10 plus years. What was his health issue?

[Anonymous]

He had heart issues on a trip to visit his family in the midwest and was hospitalized there for a few weeks over the winter. St. Mary's is a huge parish, so maybe the Chantilly parish is smaller and the move is just to reduce his stress. I am unaware of any other troubling issues or let downs. He is very, very conservative, so maybe he let down the younger parishioners and school parents who are more socially liberal.

[Anonymous]

Lots of big changes in Alexandria. Father Cregan at blessed sacrament is retiring after 19 years at the parish. The new pastor is coming from Clifton. If I'm not mistaken, st Mary's new pastor is coming from the chantilly parish. Both Clifton and chantilly have schools, and they look comparable to blessed sacrament (smaller) and st Mary's (bigger). Interesting.

[Anonymous]

You can see this at arlingtondiocese.org.

[Anonymous]

There are nice biographies under "who's your new pastor?" on catholicherald.com.

[Anonymous]

I think that was just a comment to imply he had done his personal best and hopes it was good enough. Many of these older priests especially feel a very strong connection to their role od "shepherd" and have long been default counselors to many who struggle with the Church. I wouldn't make anything of his words.

[Anonymous]

There is nothing "behind" this. Fr K is a humble man, and he has absolutely no aspersions that he was all things to all people, and so, in a holy and priestly fashion, instead of wailing about change and going on about how much he did for the parish, he humbly and plainly put it out there that as a human, he has failings like all of us sinners. It was beautiful. He has been with the parish MUCH longer than most priests are typically in place - 15 years - and we've all become very attached to him, and him to us. He will be missed tremendously.

He would not consider his conservativeness a "letdown", but rather a badge of honor. His apology is his acknowledgement that he is not a perfect priest, nor a perfect person. None of us is.

Those of you who are "alarmed" clearly do not know this kind and generous man very well, nor are you very aware of how the diocese operates.

This is an annual shift that, thankfully, St Mary's has escaped for 15 years. The Bishop does what he will. Fr Hathaway, our new priest from St. VERONICA, is supposed to be a very good priest, and we welcome him later this month.

[Anonymous]

St. Marys is the wealthiest parish in the diocese. Fr. K annually collects more from his parishioners for the BLA than any other, including St John Mclean. He does a great job. The shifting of priests is not about "promotions" or steps up or down, but about the Bishop discerning who is needed when, and where.

[Anonymous]

Wow, I did not know about Father K's heart issues, I will pray for him. He married my husband and me 13 years ago and has baptized all three of our children, even though we've been in Burke for 10 years now. I wish him the best at St. Veronica's, he was a great pastor for St. Mary's and it's parish community.

[Anonymous]

I agree with what the other posters have been saying.

One other thing is, you could just ask Father what he meant. He won't mind clarifying things for you.

[Anonymous]

Any thought to having a Catholic school and.or parish forum ? The responses indicate that this is important to some people, but what does this have to do with Private schools ?

Wouldn't your community attract more readers and inform more people if it was headed under " Parochial " . Who would look to Private School forum for a discussion on a priest leaving a church , not me. Yet, obviously its a dialogue worth having

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Any thought to having a Catholic school and.or parish forum ? The responses indicate that this is important to some people, but what does this have to do with Private schools ?

Wouldn't your community attract more readers and inform more people if it was headed under " Parochial " . Who would look to Private School forum for a discussion on a priest leaving a church , not me. Yet, obviously its a dialogue worth having

You posted in the wrong place. Jeff won't see this kind of suggestion. Post in website feedback if you want him to see it.

That being said, how familiar are you with dcum? The religion forum in particular?

A dedicated Catholic anything forum would just up being endless hate filled or mocking anti Catholic bashing. I don't think you would be happy with the outcome if he were to agree.