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
Recent Posts
Sharon Cline
Dearest Parishioners,
Sharon Cline peacefully passed away on Saturday, August 17th after a very short time in hospice, for which we are so grateful. Please pray that Sharon is now in the loving arms of Jesus along with her husband, Austin. We have arranged for a mass intention for Wednesday September 11th at 9am and welcome all parishioners to participate. The family is working on dates for a memorial in 2025. Please keep the family in your thoughts and prayers.
May her soul and all the souls of the Faithful Departed, through the mercy of God, rest in...Read more
Adult Faith Formation
Join us for our series on adult catholic faith formation that begins on Sunday September 8th where we discuss a wide variety of topics in our catholic faith. Each session will be held in Bethany Hall. Sessions are in English at 11am. A light brunch and coffee will be offered. Click HERE for more information. We hope you can join us.Read more
Jennifer Blades
Please pray for the return of good health for Jennifer Blades and peace for
her family. Thank you.
- Mary BakerRead more
Sharon Cline
Dearest Parishioners,
Sharon Cline has been a parishioner for over 60 years at STA where her 6 children were baptized and raised in such a wonderful community. So many memories of church youth group, festias, communions, confirmations, and a wedding were all celebrated at STA along with our dad, Austin Cline's memorial service 9 years ago. Sharon was placed in hospice care last week. Please pray for God's compassion to take her from us quickly and to ease her suffering so that she can join our dad.
Warmly,
The Cline children, Chris, Kati, Rick, Karen, Carla and...Read more
Bill Brannan
Bill Brannan passed from this life into the loving arms of the Lord this past Friday morning. He was at his home with his wife, Charlene, at his side.
Please pray for Bill and his family. His memorial Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, August 31st with Rosary at 10am and Mass at 10:30am followed by a lunch reception
- Charlene BrannanRead more