In his last homily as a parish priest Sunday, the Rev. Jerry Ryle discussed Jesus' shortest sermon.The priest then faced the overflowing crowd at Sacramento's St. Philomene church and told parishioners what to expect from his sermon that morning.
"I'm going to go a little longer," said Ryle as parishioners laughed. "I have a lot to say."
For 41 years, Ryle has presided over daily Mass in the Catholic Diocese of Sacramento. Now the priest is retiring, one of nine clerics officially stepping down today.
Their retirements – the priests have served for decades and hold senior positions – are having a ripple effect throughout the 20-county diocese. To replace them, Bishop Jaime Soto has reassigned a quarter of the diocese's priests, the largest number ever moved at one time.
This week, 48 priests in the Catholic Diocese of Sacramento will pack up their vestments and their chalices and move to new churches. Some will leave parishes where they have served the same families for years. Others, who have been assistants or parochial vicars, will become pastors for the first time. One priest is coming out of retirement.
The moves affect nearly two-thirds of the diocesan parishes, with 63 out of 103 welcoming new priests this Sunday.
"This is a massive move all at once," said the Rev. Tim Nondorf, priest-secretary to the bishop. "We're all kind of sitting in amazement that this is happening."
The diocese, which stretches from the Oregon border to Vacaville, serves more than 900,000 Catholics. Many parishioners have mixed emotions about the changes.
"I'll pray for our new priest, but I don't understand this," said Gracriela Hernandez, who attends Holy Cross Catholic Church in Arbuckle. "Our church is growing and doing well. Why change?"
Soto, who said he has received letters or phone calls about nearly every move, said the complaints show how much parishioners care.
"I know few things are as anxiety-producing, or have more impact on a parish community, than moving a priest – especially when they are loved," said Soto. "We ask not only for patience but also for prayers as we do the best job that we can."
Soto said the large number of priests moving is due to the retirements and also his desire to reassign priests twice a year instead of monthly as has been done in the past. Soto said he believes moving the priests Jan. 1 and July 1 will give diocesan leaders more options when reassigning priests by drawing from a larger pool for future openings.
"I'm hoping that the next round of changes won't be as intense," said Soto. "I know this has not been easy for parishioners or for the priests."
The Rev. Stanley Poltorak is admittedly a little nervous. He is going to a bigger parish and following in the footsteps of a beloved founding pastor.
For 14 years, Poltorak has pastored Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Truckee, the only Catholic church in town that has a church staff of fewer than two positions.
Now Poltorak is moving to Rocklin, where he will oversee one of the largest churches in the diocese, St. Peter and Paul, and will work with a staff of 10. He succeeds the Rev. Michael Dillon, who has served at the parish for 28 years and has presided over thousands of baptisms, weddings and funerals. Dillon is so popular that the parish community has given him half a dozen going away parties.
"He's revered," Poltorak said. "I'm just going to try to build on his legacy and do the best job I can."
Poltorak will be replaced by the Rev. Matthew Blank, who has been a priest for only two years. Traditionally, priests have been parochial vicars or assistants for six to eight years before becoming pastors. Soto said this has changed.
While the number of priests in the diocese has remained steady, the number of Catholics in the area has soared, creating a bigger demand.
"There are a number of priest retirements on the horizon and we have to prepare the younger ones to assume these responsibilities," said Soto.
Blank is one of several priests who will have the temporary title of parish administrator for two years. The new administrators will be evaluated before becoming pastors, according to diocesan officials.
"We want to make sure they are a good fit before assigning them for a longer period," said Nondorf.
Blank, 42, is looking forward to the move. "It's a big responsibility but I think I'm ready. I know one thing: I'm going to be very busy."
In his retirement, Ryle will pray for his fellow priests. He advises the younger ones to "get to know your people – they will inspire you."
This week he is busy packing up the last of his belongings, including gifts he has received from parishioners. The gifts included everything from an electric shaver to a book of jokes.
Though Ryle is retiring as a parish priest, he'll continue to serve as director of campus ministry at Sacred Heart Parish in Fairfield, Conn.
Parishioners from previous churches have stopped by the church in recent weeks to say goodbye.
Brad and Shelly Rohrer drove from Wilton to see Ryle.
"He is what a priest should be," said Brad Rohrer. "He has given so much, we just wanted to say thank you."
Ryle said ending his ministry as a parish priest has been overwhelming.
"I managed to handle everything OK until Sunday," said Ryle. He tried to focus on Jesus' shortest sermon – "Do not Be Afraid. Just Believe" – but became emotional at the end of Mass.
That's when churchgoers raised their hands and blessed their priest in English and in Spanish.
"That's when the floodgates opened," said Ryle. "I was deeply moved."
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