Father Joel is movin’ on!

By Joni Johnson

On May 14, 2021, after being at the Manor for 9 years, Father Joel has left us in body but not in spirit!  During his time at RVM, he has had an enormous impact on its residents. He has created an abundance of programs here that crossed all sectors of the campus from the religious to the not at all religious.  To name but a few of his coordinated efforts: the 19^thHole, Speaking of Faith, monthly Shabbat services and dinners (pre-Covid), The Chanukah Party, Secular Conversations, Socrates Café, Two Beards and a Cup of Coffee, Story Corps, and a series of Education seminars both on campus and in the Valley.

                   Father Joel’s Last Day

When I asked residents what qualities they saw in Father Joel, this is what they said.  He was compassionate and open to all. He was accepting and had an ability to connect with everybody. He was ecumenical.  It didn’t matter what your religion was or whether or not you were religious.  He was there for you.  He had a wonderful sense of humor.  His friendship with other religious leaders of varying faiths in the valley brought our residents a depth of experiences both on and off campus. He appreciated having deep philosophical discussions that were not necessarily based in religion and realized that there were many residents here on campus that saw themselves as non-religious and even agnostic or atheists who wanted and needed a place to congregate and speak about important spiritual and intellectual issues.  He made everyone feel that he liked them, regardless of background.  And as someone said when they talked about his replacement, we certainly need someone who likes old people. Father Joel certainly did.

Transition

by Joel Maiorano (written Sunday, May 16)

As change enters our body,

our bones question – is it time again?

We shed, like seeds dropping from a tree

announcing out loud … “part of us is dying,

while proclaiming we are alive!”

Unwelcoming, most often yes

not unlike aging, yet inviting us

to alter ourselves

like a spring caterpillar…

unsure if this is our end

or a new beginning.

When he first came to the Manor in 2012, he came as a replacement for Don Hildebrand, who was well liked.  Father Joel said that it was the respect that Hildebrand engendered that allowed him to confidently engage in producing the programs that he did.  And of course, he gives much credit to the residents and their leadership, service and insight that created an opportunity for his leadership. He claims it was residents and their involvement that created his effectiveness.

   

He said that leaving will be very difficult for him.  He will miss engaging with the residents and having the intimate relationships afforded him through his experiences here – counseling, visiting those who have lost a loved one, or just living life together.   “Through my position here, I was both a minister of spirituality and a person who helped create belonging.

 “Leaving breaks my heart and it will take time for it to heal.  However, leaving was also my decision because I am moving into a position that I have wanted for a long time.

Father Joel with Barbara and Fred Moore and Becky Hyde

“I will be the Chief Mission Integration Officer at Providence Hospital.  It is more of a managerial role rather than working with patients.  I will be helping to shape and influence how the mission, values and vision are lived out in the daily life of the hospital. I will be the first non-Catholic or half Catholic in my position.    My plan is to listen to the heartbeat of the employees, study the rhythms of how the organism lives and laughs, so that I can best support the ethos of the sisters who started the hospital and celebrate Providence as a beacon of hope. My question will not only be what is universal “catholic” healthcare, but more importantly, how do we live it out to make it inclusive for all.”

We will miss you, Father Joel in so many, many ways.  But we wish you the very best in your new endeavor.