Scripture tells us that for everything there is a time. I have always liked to remind people of this, however sometimes I have tried to avoid it in my own life.

Through prayers, counseling and the help of dear friends, I discerned that it was time to move on in ministry. I made that decision in October 2005. Since then, many things have happened to let me know that the call that God has given me to return north is really His will!

People say that if you begin mentioning names, you always forget someone. I will probably do that, however I must say thanks to so many. If you are overlooked, it is not intentional. Hold me excused. Please bear with me as I reflect on my Meridian journey for the past 11 years.

The day I came to Meridian in March 1995 I fell in love with the town. There was so much loving and sincere hospitality around me that I could not say no when Father Elvin Sunds asked me to accept a call to ministry at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. He never knew that his invitation would take us to places and give us blessings that were unheard of before that time.

Just two years later, Meridian became a one-Catholic-priest town and I was asked to accept ministry at St. Patrick Catholic Church as well. What an added blessing this has been for me. We worked toward becoming a Catholic community and giving example to others that with God’s blessings, we could come together.

I presented the downtown pastors and others with the idea of a Way of the Cross/Way of Peace Ecumenical Walk that many told me would fail. It was my joy to coordinate the event for the past nine years with the help of many, many willing helpers. Hopefully, this event will continue to take place each year.

While I was home in April and May with my dying mother, the walk went on! Thank you to each and every person who participated in this wonderful witness and time of coming together as one. I have always said that if I did nothing else in Meridian, the fact that the Ecumenical Walk would continue would be a great blessing.

To the downtown pastors — some who are still in Meridian and some who have moved on to other callings — I say, “THANK YOU!!!” Thank you especially to Drs. Tom Sikes and Raymon Leake, who have truly been beacons of light for me. I have preached in both of their sanctuaries. We have been friends. We have shared meals. You have been a blessing to me. Thank you for inviting this “lone woman” to join the ranks and be treated as an equal.

Thank you to the members of First Christian Church who took me in and allowed me to preach in your sanctuary so many Sundays. You are truly a second home to me. What joy you have brought me.

Thank you, Mayor John Robert Smith, who is an example of a Christian leader — but more than that he is a friend. I went to his office shortly after I arrived in Meridian simply to meet him. Many times since then I have visited his office and I have always come away with a deeper faith than when I entered his presence.

Thanks to Jimmy Pigford and the Meridian Little Theatre members who allowed me to be onstage, to dare to let me entertain and to fulfill a dream of being in the spotlight. What a thrill that was for me.

Thanks to all I have met during my 11 years in Meridian. Thanks to each of the doctors, nurses and aides who helped me during my times of illness and difficulties.

Thanks to the media: The Meridian Star and WTOK-TV who have been obliging, fair, kind and understanding. It is because of your support that the word has gotten out about Good Friday walk and that the Catholic church has been given an honest and fair chance in Meridian.

If I failed to mention you, please know that in my heart I am grateful and at the same time human! I feel that great things have happened in Meridian during the time I have lived here. I am sure that God will bless you with many more wonderful gifts.

I am only sorry that I might not be here for the opening of the Opera House. Downtown has taken on a whole new look in the past years. There are sings of growth everywhere in this beautiful town of Christian people.

So now I bid farewell! Thank you for taking this Yankee in and opening your hearts to me. I have loved Meridian and the people here. I will take your love with me as I journey to Indiana and begin again … in His name. You will forever be in my heart and thoughts. Let us continue to pray for one another.

If you ever come north and/or close to Indiana, look me up. I enjoy visitors and seeing friends I have met over the years. My new address is: Holy Guardian Angels Church, P.O. Box 38, Cedar Grove, IN 47016.

Farewell, my beloved city, my home. Farewell to each of my beloved friends. I am richer in spirit because of you. Thank you. God bless you ’til we meet again.

Sister André Burkhart is associate pastor of St. Patrick and St. Joseph’s Catholic churches in Meridian.

YOU’RE INVITED

A farewell reception for Sister André Burkhart will be held Sunday following morning Mass at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 2601 Davis St. For information, call (601) 693-1321.