From the Rector's Desk: New Diocesan Appointment
June 16, 2023
The Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
I write to you today to share that last week His Excellency, Bishop Jacques Fabre-Jeune, CS, appointed me to be his Vicar for Priests and Secretary for the Clergy for the Diocese of Charleston.
In my new position, I serve as a liaison between Bishop Jacques and the priests and deacons of the diocese with particular emphasis on the welfare, utilization and assignments of priests. My responsibilities include chairing the Priest Personnel Board and representing the clergy on the diocesan Curia. I also retain my appointment as Vicar Forane, or Dean, of the Columbia Deanery as well as your pastor and Rector of the Basilica of Saint Peter.
I am humbled by this appointment. As you can imagine, the task at hand is large given the growing number of Catholics in South Carolina and our corresponding need for more priests. Please pray that I will serve the Bishop and our priests well in this capacity. Pray, too, that many more men will answer God’s call to labor in the vineyard of the Lord as priests and permanent deacons. Also, know that I will do my best to effectively pastor you while juggling my new duties which will undoubtedly demand more travel to Charleston and throughout the diocese. In practical terms, this means Lesley will be even more challenged in managing my schedule so please be patient with us both.
How thrilled I am that our Basilica parish is flourishing in promising ways as we realized in our meaningful procession marking the Solemnity of Corpus Christi! New people are constantly joining us, ministries of formation and service are growing in participation, and we are approaching an exciting inflection point in our campaign to expand our facilities (more on that coming soon!). It takes all of us to carry out this work, and I am so grateful for your commitment to Saint Peter’s. That said, the Bishop is committed to sending a full-time parochial vicar to assist and labor alongside us in our very important ministry in the heart of Columbia.
We are reminded in today’s Gospel that the Lord’s yoke is easy and His burden light. Inspired by His meek and humble heart, so full of love for us, may we find our rest in Him and continue to generously offer the work of our hands for the glory of His Kingdom.
Fraternally,
Fr. Gary S. Linsky
The Very Rev’d Canon Gary S. Linsky, V.F., V.P.
Rector
