Thank You, Fr. René!
After nine years together, we have said goodbye to Father René, who concluded his ministry as Parish Priest the Parish of Santa Maria del Carmine and San Carlo, and the Personal Parish of Santa Maria del Carmine, on 4 September.
Over these years, Father René has guided our community and been close to many people, families, children and young people. Through his presence, he has accompanied us and shared many moments of our daily lives: our celebrations, feasts, gatherings, joys and even difficulties.
These have been years in which we have learned to know one another and grow fond of one another. For this reason, as we say goodbye, rather than saying many words, we simply want to thank him: thank you for the time you have given us, for your availability, for the good you have tried to spread, and for everything you have shared with our community.
A few weeks ago, Father René arrived at his new mission in Cape Town, South Africa, where he will meet new people and a new community to accompany. We are sure he will carry something of us with him, just as we will keep fond memories of these years we have shared.
We entrust Father René to the Lord and accompany him with our prayers, asking God to sustain him, protect him and guide him in the new mission assigned to him.
We wish every blessing to Father René and assure that we will continue to remember him fondly in our prayers.
Thank you, Father René, and we wish you all the best as you start a new mission!
The parishioners of the Parish of Santa Maria del Carmine and San Carlo, and the Personal Parish of Santa Maria del Carmine
Welcome, Fr. Bruno!
While we bid farewell to Fr. René, we are happy to welcome Fr. Bruno Ciceri, who, since September 4, is the new Parish Priest of Santa Maria del Carmine and Saint Charles Parish, the Personal Parish of Santa Maria del Carmine.
Fr. Bruno comes to us with many years of missionary experience in various parts of the world, Australia, the Philippines, Taiwan, the Vatican, and the Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia. Along the way, he has met people from many diverse cultures and communities, experiences that have enriched both his ministry and his life as a Scalabrinian missionary.
Now he joins our Community, and we are beginning to get to know one another. Fr. Bruno brings his own story, experience, and way of living his priesthood, while we welcome him with our own story, our joys and challenges, and everything that makes our Community what it is.
There will be plenty of time to meet, talk, celebrate, and share our lives as a parish. We hope that little by little, we will grow together in friendship and faith, supporting one another and helping each other to live the Gospel.
So, with great joy we say: Welcome, Fr. Bruno!.
We pray that the Lord will guide you and give you wisdom, patience, strength, and a generous heart as you begin your ministry among us. May the Holy Spirit be with you and help you to be a ministry who is close to his people, ready to listen, welcome, and walk alongside them.
We also place you under the loving protection of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
We hope you will soon feel at home among us. May the Lord bless your ministry and bless all of us as we begin this new experience together, growing in faith, friendship, and fellowship.
All parishioners are invited to the celebration marking the beginning of Father Bruno’s pastoral ministry, presided over by His Excellency Bishop Franco Agnesi, Vicar General of the Diocese, which would take place on Sunday, November 22, at 11:00a.m.
