Pastor Father Walter Schmidt said goodbye to his place of work in Walchensee in a humorous way.
The clergyman is retiring.
Walchensee
- Father Walter Schmidt will soon be celebrating his 50th anniversary as a priest - but before church services he is still as excited as a new priest.
On Sunday he was a tad more nervous than usual, after all, after eleven years, it was time to say goodbye to Walchensee.
Although he has grown fond of the place, the 80-year-old did not feel too sad and instead emphasized the positive in the parish church of Ortisei: "I am glad that I was able to stay in such a beautiful spot for so long." Schmidt actually didn't want to commit to Walchensee for long.
Maybe a year, two or three years at most.
The start was not easy, reminded the parish council chairwoman Agi Pangerl.
After the Integrated Congregation left, a new section began in Walchensee, “but we were all lucky that you were sent to us.
With your calm and open manner and your humor you accompanied and guided us very well through this time and the years afterwards.
"You have left traces"
Karin Stichaner from the church administration gave an overview.
The large round window in the apse has been shining in daylight again since 2010.
A little later, a stonemason removed the glue residue on the altar.
In 2015 a new organ was purchased with the help of sponsors.
Last but not least, the altar table and the predella in the Lady Chapel have been renovated.
"There are five major innovations in Ortisei alone - they have left their mark," said Stichaner.
Frank Sommerschuh thanked Schmidt for the “creative and varied collaboration”.
Above all, the church caretaker will remember numerous “short inquiries”, which usually would have lasted a little longer than expected: “After the meetings we always came home with knowledge from Rome, Sweden and Korea.” An allusion to the globetrotter Schmidt in many countries Has gained experience and likes to share it.
Schmidt was not only a pastor, but also took on other roles.
With a smile, Sommerschuh recalled a trip to the Reichenhall salt mine.
Schmidt slipped down into the tunnel with his acolytes, and a guard commented on this with the words: "Ah, the grandpa with his grandchildren."
Altar boys remember Schmidt's wisdom
Above all, Agnes Sommerschuh will remember Schmidt's wisdom, with which he always cheered up the altar boys before church services on Sunday mornings.
One of his standard slogans was the sentence: “Now let's get ready before the others get us ready.” The pastor commented on blowing his nose with the words: “What should happen to the day if you are fed up with it in the morning? “Sommerschuh also thanked them for the“ first-class city tour ”through Rome.
Schmidt knows every corner there, "and he talked to every Italian we met right away."
The tour group essentially fed on ice cream, the pastor's favorite dish.
Sommerschuh said goodbye to him: "Don't lose your humor, your zest for life - and your insatiable hunger for ice."
In his farewell speech, Schmidt thanked the numerous helpers "who are doing great things in the background".
For example the acolytes, organists, lecturers, the church administration and the parish council.
Father Schmidt will retire in his old home, in Jünkerath in Rhineland-Palatinate: "I can't say that I'm going home, because Walchensee has become a little bit my home."
As a farewell, Schmidt quoted from the song “Never goes so completely”, which dates from 1987 but which he only got to know in 2016 due to his numerous stays abroad.
The occasion: The closure of the Philosophical-Theological University in Benediktbeuern.
At the time, Father Lothar Bily tried to cheer up the sad guests with the following words: “You never go completely.
Something of me is left here.
I want to go on, see no tears, such a farewell is far from death. "
Also read:
Amplifier office in Kochel: demolition can hardly be prevented
"It was hopeless": The cancellation of the Leonhardiffahrt Benediktbeuern came creeping
