We are seven months into 2024. As we are in the midst of this summer season, I have endured a whirlwind of emotions and still have upcoming activities, and I feel like a part of me has not yet caught my breath. But that is the most me style isn’t it? Go now, rest later. I digress and let’s get back to the real purpose of this.
A few weeks ago, an official announcement was made that the pastor and long time friend of mine, Fr. Rafael Lavilla was starting a new chapter. After five fruitful years of being pastor at St. John the Baptist in Atlantic Beach (AB), Fr. Rafael has been given a new assignment to serve at St. John Paul II in Ponte Vedra (PV). We all knew his AB assignment was not permanent, but I saw the tears of sadness and the apprehension families were feeling. I knew Fr. Rafael was nervous and excited all at once. This was a huge change for many and I never really processed how fast the time was going to blow by. Five years just like that.
At his goodbye party, there were so many families and friends who came to wish him the best of luck onto his new journey- Parishioners, Boy Scouts, Knights of Columbus, Camp Gladiator, the Youth Ministry, the World Youth Day crew– you name it. Everyone came out to say congrats and farewell including the pastor of Holy Family, Fr. David. I saw tears, heard laughter, captured pictures, hugged and reconnected with many.
I’m guilty as ever for giggling at the tears that were being shed. Fr. Rafael was giving many speeches and shout outs– a recollection of his memories and time serving St. John. I remember turning to my friend Natalie and whispering, “Why are all these people crying?” But the joke was on me, because when I was done helping him pack the last of his stuff into his trunk Sunday night, suddenly I had water also falling out of my eyes on the car ride home. And I kept thinking what is going on? And it was my heart also going down memory lane and I really think it was more tears of joy and gratitude than it was sadness. Between work, party prep, packing for my trip to Europe — I was a little delayed with processing this past weekend and the final few minutes of packing finally hit. Many will say I will still keep in touch with Fr. Rafael and this is not goodbye – and many is right. The tears relate to all the great things I’ve seen the man do, how he changed the lives of many including mine.
I can go on forever about stories, funny quotes, and heart felt homilies. When he turned in his keys and took the last of his stuff, my mind flashed back to my senior year at UNF in 2020 helping him do the powerpoint every 7 AM mass. My mind then flashed back to 2013, my first time at St. John — and the 14 year old me had no idea how providential this church would become in my life. I thank God everyday that Fr. Rafael is not only a light in the lives of many, but when you feel like life is dark — he helps you find the light within yourself. I truly believe the reason for all the tears and the in denial was the fact we had to let go of someone who embodied what it means to be a servant and shepherd of the church. He wasn’t just a title or a boss, but a leader. And he really is an amazing leader in the sense that he didn’t throw darts at a board and expect miracles to happen. If something bothered him, he went out and changed it. We can list out all the projects that he has accomplished including: enhancing the Emergency Assistance Ministry (feeding the hungry), supporting families on the brink of becoming homeless by finding them shelter, fencing and landscaping the property so the youth group could do more, fundraising to bring the youth to Portugal, buying 1,000 cupcakes on HIS OWN BIRTHDAY because he wanted to celebrate with everyone. I mean again, this can go on for hours. And in between the jokes and the laughs is a man who gives wisdom from the heart. I will never forget his pep talk when he told me, “Jamie, you’ve spent your entire life trying to find and develop your career. You did it. Now it’s time for you to let your heart and prayer do some catch up.” The next neighborhood that he will be sent to is in for a treat. I know and pray he will do wonderful things by being present, pleasant, good and holy (IYKYK).
The other reality is that we shouldn’t pray for him to come back to AB. What we need to pray for is for more men like this to want to serve the community. We need to pray for more vocations and we also need to continue to pray for the health and wellbeing of all the priests in the world. I can’t be mad or upset about the new arrangement because I quote directly from the man himself, “This is the reality of priesthood. We come and we go.” We would be selfish to only want to keep him in AB because there are so many people that still haven’t experienced authentic joy or found God within them yet, and I know Fr. Paengski will mark footsteps and impact in this next chapter.
I wish you all the best Paengski. You are always with me, and I will always have your back. AB and many are praying for you and cheering you on. Thank you for everything.
Jamie Vergara 