Goodbye Letter from Brian
June 9, 2020
My Dear Parish Family,
“Tell the world that I have loved it more than I have ever dared to say.” I remember seeing these words somewhere in Fr. Pat Keane’s office when he interviewed me when I was preparing for Confirmation in high school. These words must have resonated with me because when I received Confirmation shortly after that interview, the prayer that I had in my heart was a prayer asking the Lord to help me do this with my life. Looking back at these last nine years in ministry, I can’t help but think that the Lord answered this prayer, and I am beyond grateful that He did.
I am writing this letter to all of you to announce that I will be leaving my position and my ministry at St. Thomas Aquinas Church on June 21, 2020, to take on an administrative position at St. John’s Seminary in Camarillo.
Serving this parish for the past nine years has been the honor of my life. It has been my greatest adventure, filled with challenges and dreams, and growth in intimacy with the Lord. But what I will treasure and miss the most is my relationships with all of you. I love you all like family! I have been at St. Thomas Aquinas since I was six years old. You have all shaped the person that I have become and I am eternally grateful for all of you and that for nine years I had the opportunity to work in building up our family.
To the young people of this parish, I don’t think you’ll ever know how much you all mean to me and how blessed that I feel that I had the opportunity to help form you, care for you, and convince you of the Lord’s love for you. If I, in my imperfections, in my sinfulness, in my limitations could learn to love and care for you as much as I have, just think about how much more that God, in His perfection and limitless goodness loves you! Thank you for sharing with me the presence of God in your joy, your energy, your laughter, your tears, your vulnerability, your openness, your weaknesses, and your strengths. I have so much hope in you and so does the church and most importantly so does the Lord God.
With this, I humbly ask for your prayers for me that the Lord may continue to help me tell the world that He has loved it more than He has ever dared to say. Please know of my constant prayers for all of you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for everything! May the Lord God bless and keep you all!
With love and profound gratitude,
Brian Campos
9 de junio, 2020
Mi querida familia parroquial,
"Dile al mundo que me ha encantado más de lo que me he atrevido a decir". Recuerdo haber visto estas palabras en la oficina de Padre Pat Keane cuando me entrevistó cuando estaba preparando para la Confirmación en la escuela secundaria. Estas palabras deben haber resonado conmigo porque cuando recibí la Confirmación poco después de esa entrevista, la oración que tuve en mi corazón fue una oración pidiéndole al Señor que me ayudé a hacer esto con mi vida. Mirando estos últimos nueve años en ministerio, no puedo evitar pensar que el Señor respondió a esta oración, y estoy más que agradecido de haberlo hecho.
Les escribo esta carta a todos ustedes para anunciarles que dejaré mi puesto y mi ministerio en la Iglesia de Santo Tomás de Aquino el 21 de junio de 2020, para tomar un puesto administrativo en el Seminario de San Juan en Camarillo.
Servir a esta parroquia durante los últimos nueve años ha sido el honor de mi vida. Ha sido mi mayor aventura, llena de desafíos y sueños, y el crecimiento en la intimidad con el Señor. Pero lo que más atesoraré y extrañaré es mi relación con todos ustedes. Los amo a todos como mi familia! He estado en St. Thomas Aquinas desde que tenía seis años. Todos ustedes han dado forma a la persona en la que me he convertido y estoy eternamente agradecido por todos durante los nueve años que tuve la oportunidad de trabajar en la construcción de nuestra familia.
Para los jóvenes de Santo Tomás de Aquino, creo que nunca sabrán lo mucho que significan para mí y la bendecida que siento de haber tenido la oportunidad de ayudarlos a formarlos, cuidarlos y convencerlos del amor del Señor por ustedes. Si yo, en mis imperfecciones, en mi pecaminosidad, en mis limitaciones, pudiera aprender a amarlos y cuidarlos tanto, solo piensen en cuánto más los ama Dios, en su perfección y bondad ilimitada! Gracias por compartir conmigo la presencia de Dios en su alegría, su energía, sus risas, sus lágrimas, su vulnerabilidad, su apertura, sus debilidades y sus fortalezas. Tengo mucha esperanza en ustedes y también la iglesia y lo más importante también el Señor Dios.
Con esto, pido humildemente sus oraciones para que el Señor continúe ayudándome a decirle al mundo que lo he amado más de lo que se ha atrevido a decir. Por favor sepan de mis oraciones por todos ustedes. Desde el fondo de mi corazón, gracias por todo! Que el Señor Dios los bendiga y los guarde a todos!
Con amor y profunda gratitud,
Brian Campos
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