The Rev. Matthew Widder wrote a letter by church bulletin to the Sheboygan North Catholic Parishes on Aug. 2, ahead of his departure. 

Fr. Widder, who left for the Catholic community of Waukesha on Aug. 4, began the letter by thanking the parish members for their generosity, prayers and well wishes they sent throughout his last few weeks, from a caricature by Roger Lahn to a memorial brick at the National Shrine to our Lady of Good Help. 

“It has been an incredible blessing for me to be your pastor these last years, Widder said in the bulletin. "We have an incredible faith community, a talented and dedicated staff in the parishes and in our school, and great leadership through our pastoral council." 

He noted that the reality of COVID-19 made it difficult to say his goodbyes in person, but vowed to distribute his updated information to stay in contact with the members.