Changing of the guard at the head of the community of the faithful of Livinallongo. The new parish priest will be solemnly welcomed in the square of Pieve
FODOM. Fodom greets Don Dario and waits with open arms for Don Andrea, who will arrive tomorrow.
Last Sunday in Pieve di Livinallongo was the last mass as parish priest and dean for don Dario Fontana who after 9 years leaves his post to take on that of vicar in Santa Maria delle Grazie, where, even though he is 77 years old and is in retirement age, he will assist Don Franco Decima in the care of souls also in the parishes of Rocca Pietore, Caprile and Alleghe. A transfer that is part of a broader reorganization of the parishes decided in recent months by Bishop Renato.
For the occasion, the Christian community gathered around him to greet and thank him. “The changes are necessary because they help to grow,” said Don Dario during the homily. “If I had stayed here I would have impoverished you, because I have given you everything I had.”
Don Dario then went on to thank everyone for the welcome received and all those who worked and collaborated in the life of the parish. Beginning with the sacristans, the parish choir, the municipal administrations that have alternated in recent years and the community of the Sisters Disciples of the Gospel, who defined «a real grace for this territory. With you I would like a relationship like the one you have with a brother to remain ».
“After all, I don’t go that far,” he concluded. «When you pass through Santa Maria delle Grazie put on the arrow and come and greet me». The official moment of greetings, as usual, was left at the end of the function, when the representatives of the pastoral council, the curacy of Andraz, the parish choir and the municipal administration with the mayor Leandro Grones gave Don Dario a souvenir for all these years spent in Fodom. Finally, the choir sang an ancient song that was performed as a greeting to a parish priest who is leaving or arriving. Outside the church there was also time for a small convivial moment and a toast.
Now the parishes of Pieve and Arabba await the arrival of the new parish priest, Ampezzano Don Andrea Costantini Ghea, who will officially arrive in Fodom tomorrow.
A particularly awaited arrival for two reasons. Don Andrea has fodome roots, as his paternal grandmother was a native of Castello. He will also be the first Ladin dean after more than 50 years to once again rule the deanery of Livinallongo. The last was the late Don Lorenzo Irsara, a native of Val Badia, who had left Fodom in 1972.
Although the official inauguration ceremony has already been held on Thursday in the sanctuary of Santa Maria delle Grazie together with the other new parish priests of the Alto Agordino, the parishioners will welcome Don Andrea tomorrow at 10 in the square of Pieve, where a great welcome party awaits him. in which, in addition to the authorities, all the associations of the valley with their traditional uniforms and costumes will participate. Also the Union de i Ladis d’Anpezo, led by Elsa Zardini, wished with a message to wish Fr Andrea for his new pastoral office.
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