December 18, 2003

A bittersweet goodbye: Congregation honors Pastor’s tenure at Holy Spirit

By Candy Richter
Staff Writer

It’s an age-old dilemma. When a beloved community member, trusted co-worker, or dear friend gets the call to move on, an opportunity to bring their special charms to another community, how are you supposed to feel?
Happy for the opportunity, of course, yet there is that wistful sense of loss that cannot be ignored.

For Almaden’s Holy Spirit community, the upcoming transfer of Fr. Paul Weisbeck to St. Williams in Los Altos has been like losing all three – community member, co-worker and friend – all rolled into one dynamic individual.

With only a few weeks remaining until Weisbeck’s move, the 400-plus members of the Holy Spirit community gathered after mass on Dec. 16 to not only bid a bittersweet goodbye to the man that has been their spiritual guide for the last seven-and-a-half years, but also to celebrate the many highpoints of Fr. Weisbeck’s tenure.

“Father Paul has done a great job,” said Holy Spirit’s Bob Vossler, a 38-year veteran of the parish. “”He has a sense of humor and tells wonderful stories, but his real forte is with the children. At one of our general reconciliation evenings, we had about five priests, and so many children, some there for the first time. I looked over and nearly all the children were lined up to see Father Paul. They really look up to him.”

For both young and old alike, it is Weisbeck’s easy straightforward manner that has made such a lasting impression on the parishioners. “Father Paul was such a major influence on me, I decided to take RICA and get baptized,” said Holly Case, a new member of Holy Spirit, whose son Joshua is enrolled at the school. “Listening to him, his stories, he seemed so human, so easy to relate to, he’s just feels like my grandpa – but don’t tell him I said that!,” joked Case.

For Weisbeck, his communication style is an extension of himself. “I decided very early on that I can’t teach what I don’t believe,” said Weisbeck. I’ve found a way to present the faith in a way that I can identify with, and teach and live. I came from a farm background, one of 11 children, and a strong Catholic faith – especially on my dad’s side. I use that experience as a way to express the ideals of the church. Faith is meant to help, serve and be joyful and fun. The examples I use are a way to talk about faith. I know that if I’m bored, [the congregation] will be bored - I’ve sat through too many boring sermons to want to give one!”

Acknowledged as a strong leader of the faith behind the pulpit, Weisbeck’s community leadership abilities were put to the test shortly after his arrival to Holy Spirit in 1996 when the decision was made to build a school on the church grounds.

“In 1996 the Diocese of San Jose looked at the need and possibility of a Catholic school in the area south of 280,” recalled Weisbeck. “At that time, many churches were full and there were four to six students for every available space at the existing catholic schools.”

Based on the outcome of a 1997 task force study, the decision was made to build a school at Holy Spirit. The project broke ground in October, 1999 and was completed and ready for K-7 students the week following Labor Day in 2000.

“I had no experience building a school,” said Weisbeck. “And I had not dealt with a school since 1981. Rosalee, who had experience, and I were on site and involved with all the phases of construction.”

Except, Weisbeck is quick to point out, the building’s exterior color selection.

“This was to be an interparish school at first,” he said. “Then Holy Spirit took responsibility and though it was opened to Saint Anthony’s as well, the school was managed by Holy Spirit.”

Though Holy Spirit has the responsibility for running the school, Weisbeck leaves that job to the “very capable “administrators hired for that position, namely Principal Eileen Beck and Assistant Principal Peggy Krewson.

“I meet regularly with the principal,” explained Weisbeck. “But the day-to-day running of the school is her responsibility. I provide the spiritual support for the staff and students. It’s very seldom that I need to get involved.”

After 34 years as a priest and more than a dozen such moves from one parish to the next, Weisbeck admits that this departure will be the most heartfelt. “This has been the greatest experience of my life. Holy Spirit was my dream parish,” said Weisberg. “And although I was with my prior parish for about nine years, and was very attached, I knew I was moving to Holy Spirit and that made the transition easier.”

As a priest, transition has been a way of life for Weisbeck. “I just know that’s life in this job. I knew coming into this position I would eventually have to leave, and with 10 years left until retirement, there is a chance I will move again. These days a priest can only expect to stay about 8-10 years.”

One thing Weisbeck is adamant about is his support of Holy Spirit’s incoming pastor father Brendon McGuire.
“I’m very happy with father Brendon,” said Weisbeck. “I really feel that he will build on the legacy that’s part of this community.”

The parishioners share this feeling of confidence towards the new pastor as well. “I’m sorry to see Father Paul go,” said Virginia Santos, whose youngest daughter, Ariana is one of Weisbeck’s two godchildren. “I think father Brendon will be a good fit. He was in the business world before entering seminary and will bring that experience with him.”

According to Weisbeck, Holy Spirit’s accomplishments are not all about him. “This is not the church of Paul Weisbeck. It’s the Holy Spirit community, it’s about community cooperation – I didn’t build this, WE built it, and that’s what its all about.