From the Rector: An Introduction to Fr. Thomas Walsh

An Introduction to Fr. Thomas Walsh

We have some very good news for our parish and Diocese.  Bishop Conley from the Diocese of Lincoln, Nebraska is taking to heart the call of Pope Francis to look to the Missionary needs of our Churches and try to provide for those needs.  Bishop Conley who has been to Gallup many times, and is very familiar with the work and needs of the local Church, has seen fit to designate one of his priests, Fr. Thomas Walsh to come and assist us for a period of 3 years.

In August, Fr. Walsh, pastor of parishes in Geneva and Shickley, NE, will begin a period of service as a missionary to the Diocese of Gallup. In particular, Father Walsh will work closely with the Missionaries of Charity who serve here, religious sisters founded by soon-to-be Saint Mother Theresa, who work with the poorest of the poor. Their center in Gallup also serves as regional retreat house for the Missionaries of Charity serving in the West Coast Region.

Fr. Walsh will arrive this week for a short stay to get settled, then, after he fulfills a previous commitment of leading a month long retreat in July, he will begin his work here in Gallup. Fr. Walsh will live in residence at Sacred Heart Cathedral, assisting with parish ministry here and in our Mission at Houck, AZ.

The presence of Fr. Walsh in the Cathedral parish, living and working with our priests, will also permit myself and Fr. Mayer to do more work in Vocations and accept assignments for mission appeal weekends on behalf of our Diocese. The Gallup Diocese is dependent upon the generosity of parishes in other dioceses to keep our missions operating.  The donations from these appeals provide salaries, infrastructure, and direct assistance to many places which otherwise would not be able to continue the work of the Church. Once Father Walsh is familiarized with our missions, he might assist in some of appeals himself! Welcome to Sacred Heart Cathedral and the Diocese of Gallup Fr. Walsh!

-Fr. Keller