Full church at the farewell celebration on April 30th.
Dornbirn. “The Good Shepherd”, the gospel for the third Sunday after Easter, was as chosen for the pastor’s farewell service Christian Stranz. According to him, he too had always tried to be a good shepherd. His quest to inspire people to love Christ and the gospel was tireless. The faithful acknowledged their gratitude and appreciation for such a committed priest with an extremely large number of visitors. The large church in Hatlerdorf was filled to capacity on Sunday, and some had to make do with standing room. The joy of the now 57-year-old priest was correspondingly great at being able to celebrate his farewell at a festive mass with ten concelebrants, a large crowd of altar boys and community leaders. The entrance was already festive with the “Hatler Musig” and the church choir.
Pastor Stranz worked as a pastor for almost 20 years, mainly in the parish of Hatlerdorf, later also in St. Martin and Haselstauden. From 2019 he also took over the position of moderator of the pastoral care room. “Such a long time makes it difficult to say goodbye,” the priest summed up, although as a Steyler missionary he sees the move to the Missionary House of St. Gabriel near Vienna – he was appointed Provincial Superior of the Central European Province – as a challenge. The farewell was made easier for him by the gratitude and original gifts that were brought to him by all six Dornbirn parishes.
The Hatler PGR Chair Doris Fussenegger reminded of the most important areas that were shaped by Pastor Stranz and the various stations in his life. From his sphere of activity, the parishes of Hatlerdorf, St. Martin and Haselstauden, the future provincial was presented with a large suitcase to have enough space on the many journeys through the Central European province to carry the rich blessings of God all over the world.
The head of the pastoral ministry also came to the farewell mass Martin Fenkart with a very personal gift: a self-created humorous poem about God, who would envy the Hatler pastor because he has such a nice time in this parish. Also mayor Andrea Kaufman honored the departing priest, honored his many years of work with personal words and the thanks of the city of Dornbirn. “I am speechless and overwhelmed by the many signs of your appreciation,” were the words of a visibly moved priest.
Agape with the Hatler Musig
Afterwards the pastor invited Dominik aggregatethe new Counseling Room facilitator, and church leader Martina Lancer to an agape. It became apparent that the Hatler Church and the Hatler Musig are closely connected on special occasions. After the ceremonial procession, the Hatler musicians also played at the agape for a social get-together. eh
