Image of Fr. Maher. He tells us he is not escaping. He is leaving through the main door, proudly leaving behind 23 years in the Legion to go to a parish; a move sanctioned by his superiors, he tells us.
Fr. Maher's message to Gateway Academy families contains a typo, "pray" instead of "prayer". Was he in a hurry, under stress...? He says he is still a Legionary. But he will not be living in a LC religious community. So will he still be a religious without being in a religious community? Is he taking a leave of absense from the Legion, officially remaining a member?. He still sounds like a Legionary, because of this unclear double talk. But let's give him time to find his senses.
Question: is this the same diocese that accepted Fr. Stephen Fichter exLC many years ago.Fr. Maher's ad lit message follows:
Dear Gateway families,
I've been in the Legion for 23 years. It's been a very fulfilling time in my life, particularly the time spent at Gateway Academy.
Through pray and discernment, I've asked for the opportunity to work in a parish and have been assigned in the Diocese of New Jersey. I remain a member of the congregation of the Legion of Christ [bolded by poster], and am grateful for the years I have worked in the many apostolates of the Legion.
I am thankful to all of you for allowing me to be a part of your life. I ask that you keep me in your prayers and know that you will always be in mine.
God bless,
Fr. Thomas Maher, LC
