Fr. Reynolds will be reassigned to Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Owensboro. Within the Diocese of Owensboro, it is customary for priests to be moved between parishes after either six or 12 years of service.
In conjunction with the reassignment of Fr. Reynolds, St. Thomas More’s Parochial Vicar, Fr. Brandon Williams also has been reassigned. Fr. Williams will be moving to St. Leo Parish in Murray.
A reception for Fr. Reynolds will be held on Wednesday, June 3, following Evening Vespers, which begin at 6:30 p.m. Fr. Brandon will also be recognized at a special reception between the 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Masses on Sunday, June 7.
During his tenor as pastor at St. Thomas More, Fr. Reynolds has overseen significant growth in the parish spiritually as well as growth in the church campus itself. Most notable, Fr. Reynolds spearheaded the construction of the Works of Mercy Chapel at St. Thomas More. This smaller chapel was completed in 2013 and is used for daily Mass as well as smaller liturgical celebrations.
Spiritual growth under Fr. Reynolds guidance has included the addition of 24-hour adoration of the Blessed Sacrament of the Eucharist in the new chapel. Exposition of the Eucharist is a time-honored Catholic practice that acknowledges the presence of the Body, Blood and Soul of Jesus Christ in the consecrated host.
When asked about his time at St. Thomas More, Fr. Reynolds said, “I focus much less on the time and much more on the lives that I have been so blessed to be a part of. Just last week at St. Mary High School Graduation, I recognized the fact that those young men and women on the stage behind me were first grade students when I arrived in Paducah. What a blessing to be able to see them grow up with faith such a big part of their lives.”
“I have presided over funerals, celebrated the Sacrament of Marriage with hundreds of couples and Baptized more babies than I can count. To be part of such important milestones in the lives of parishioners is what being a Parish Pastor is all about.”
Just before the Easter Season, the Most Rev. William F. Medley, Bishop of the Diocese of Owensboro, announced the move of several diocesan priests.
