Pastor Paul Riesinger's farewell tour comes to an end. Now the people of Hilgertshausen said thank you.
Hilgertshausen - Pastor Paul Riesinger has now also retired in the parish of St. Stephan Hilgertshausen with thunderous applause for 21 years of beneficial work. The 59-year-old has to give up his pastoral office for health reasons, which of course is very regretted by the believers.
"Pastors come and go, but the risen Lord remains," said Riesinger at his farewell service in Hilgertshausen. Unfortunately, the Corona regulations only allowed 80 people to celebrate and the church choir in the large church.
A large thank you banner in front of the main altar showed that the departing pastor is very popular with the faithful. The sacristan couple Hans and Maria Weigl provided this farewell greeting.
The farewell words of church caretaker Winfried Riedel indicated that Riesinger, who was also pastor for Tandern, Pipinsried and Alberzell, celebrated countless church services in Hilgertshausen in the 21 years and also enjoyed the altar boys' excursions and youth trips with the Hilgertshausen. “You can also say that a lot has been achieved together,” Riedel continued. He remembered the extensive renovation of St. Michaels Church in Michelskirchen, various other restorations and festivals. In the parish of Hilgertshausen, Riesinger had three churches to look after, namely the parish church and the branches in Gumpersdorf and Michelskirchen.
With the words "The tumor has got smaller, every day is a gift", Riesinger showed the Catholics in Hilgertshausen that he could certainly hope to get well again. In any case, he will retire as a pastor and no longer interfere in church activities when his successor Michael Heinrich heads the parish community from September 1st.
Riesinger, who will still be living in Tandern for the time being, was allowed to receive a meal voucher from the church caretaker as a small farewell present. Anita Huber and Rosmarie Schaupp on behalf of the parish council also thanked them with a gift for the good cooperation over the years. A book peppered with many pictures should remind Riesinger of his work in Hilgertshausen. Mayor Markus Hertlein also had a hard time saying goodbye to Riesinger.
With the well-known song “I wish you peace”, the Hilgertshauser church choir finally said goodbye before the clergyman left the chancel in the direction of the sacristy.
JOSEF OSTERMAIR
