Fr. Trask's Sabbatical Ruminations

The preparations aren’t simple.  When I went on sabbatical in 2010, I was simply responsible for a single parish – and was able to locate a single retired priest whose ministry in retirement was to help cover one-priest parishes.  Fast forward 15 years, and there are fewer priests in the diocese … the retirement age is now 75 (up from 70 – as was the case back in 2010) … and I need to ensure that the spiritual needs of two parishes and a local prison are met during my time away.  I’m saddened that the retirement age has advanced, as those retirees who would’ve stepped up to everything at 71 years old aren’t as spry now that they’re in their upper 70’s or beyond.

As a result of numerous changes, coverage at the parishes and prison will look different in 2025 than it did when I was on sabbatical in 2010.  The full complement of weekend Masses is covered, but those wishing to participate at Mass throughout the week will need to venture to a neighboring parish.  Gratefully, five priests are on-call should there be a need for a funeral while I’m away (hopefully their services won’t be in heavy demand!).

While saddened that we’re not able to have weekday Mass during my time away, it is a reminder to all of the importance of praying for vocations — as well as nurturing and encouraging your sons, nephews, grandson’s, and other young men to prayerfully discern whether or not God might be calling them to the priesthood.  Sometimes the external encouragement sparks an attentiveness to an inner rumbling that hasn’t yet been answered.

A somewhat common comment from the secretaries is “what will we do when you’re away.”  I’m often their ‘go-to’ person for questions … especially when it comes to the computer, the website, Quickbooks, or finances.  To help alleviate concerns while I’m away, I’ve been augmenting my ‘book of continuity.’  It’s a resource in progress that answers a lot of questions about things like: the carillon system, the phone system, the location of all the electrical panels at both parishes, HVAC particulars (including how to change from AC to heating), online banking info, a plethora of website logins/credentials, recurring responsibilities (accomplished weekly, monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, and annually), key-card systems, how to reset the internet when it’s down, etc.  At present, the book is about 75 pages – and is likely to grow.  If all else fails, I’ll only be a phone-call away … but hopefully the ‘book of continuity’ will answer most of the questions that arise while I’m away.

In addition to getting everything around the parish ready for my time away, the task of packing for 11 weeks away is daunting; I’ll arrive in Rome in their summer (September in Rome is like August in northeast Ohio) … but also need to pack of the cold and wet Roman November’s.  Initially I wondered how I’d get all that to fit into my luggage allowance of 2 suit cases – 50# each.  But then, during Amazon Prime Day in July, I noticed a package of 20 various sized vacuum pack storage bags for $16 – and did an ‘impulse buy.’  When I put my winter jacket, a down-type vest, and a fall jacket into one of those bags and evacuated the air from it, the 18×24″ bag only stood about an inch high.  While not everything is as tightly vacuum packed as the winter-wear, I’ve discovered that shirts and pants that are lightly vacuum packed don’t wrinkle and stay neatly folded even when the storage bag is shuffled around within the luggage.  I’m definitely sold on this type of packing. Without having to force either suitcase closed, I’m at 50.6# on one and 50.7# for the other; now I’m just hopeful that the check-in agent doesn’t squabble about being a few ounces over!