Bring Father Joe back!

Father Joe is a wonderful member of our community. I served mass with him for nearly a decade and know him as a personal friend and mentor.

I have a very hard time imagining Blessed Sacrament without Fr. Joe. He has been responsible for bringing the parish back from almost dead, and at the same time ministering to the spiritual needs of a huge parish and community. His sermons are always appropriate for the times and readings and very inspirational. Please send him back to the parish that loves him so.

I’ve known Father Joe for over 14 years now, and he has been an influential guide/mentor in my life. Father Joe organized my tour and interview at Hampden-Sydney College, where I would go on to push myself as a student and as a young man working to become a better citizen. Originally, I wanted to study business and economics, but conversations with Father Joe motivated me to instead pursue my dreams and study English at this institution. By the time I graduated, I had become a member of Phi Gamma Delta, Phi Beta Kappa, Sigma Tau Delta, and I received the Grace and Hassell Simpson Prize for Excellence in English. None of this would have been possible without the guidance and the inspirational presence of Father Joe in my life. Now I currently pursue a career as an English teacher, and I aim to devote my life to helping others. This is a philosophy that I learned from Father Joe, as I have witnessed many of his good deeds and I have heard stories all about the years of dedication and service within the faith community at Blessed Sacrament. To prevent Father Joe from remaining a positive influence in the lives of young people (and everyone else too) is to get in the way of the prerogative of the Holy Spirit. I pray that the Bishop and his organization rethink their hasty, judgmental actions.

It is time he comes back to us.

Father Joe is Blessed Sacrament parish. Before he came to be our pastor the parish had declined to but a handful of people and the church walls were crumbling down. What a difference Fr. Joe has made as he literally rebuilt the parish, both people and the building. And, the most important thing is that he has inspired and renewed the souls of his very large flock. The only fault that I have found with him is that he works too hard. Just look at the overwhelming number of assignments, outside of the parish, to which he attends faithfully. Bishop Knestout please send him back to us and relieve him of some of the extra assignments.

I don't know what happen but people make mistakes all the time be it from a higher position to a commoner. As a Catholic we strongly believe in forgiveness and everybody deserves a second chance. I've been a parishioner for a couple of years. Like all of my online reviews he is an awesome priest. Very transparent and not a hypocrite. He always preach and relates it to current events. He's been a priest for what 27 years? Like I said I don't know what happen but cut this priest a slack. He's done a lot for the community. My family stands beside you Fr. Joe. We love you! Be strong! We are always praying for you ♥️

He is the cornerstone of our faith community!

I have had the great fortune of meeting father joe on several occassions. He is truly a gifted voice for the church . He is such a real approachable person and this is evidenced by the growth and sense of community the church has acquired under his leadership.

I know Joe is a good man. I believe in him.

Please bring Father Joe back to Blessed Sacrament. He is such a great asset to our community and is dearly loved by our parish.

Father Joe has been an incredible spiritual leader at Blesssed Sacrament for many years. He built a vibrant, thriving parish from a dead one. He has done this my ministering to every member of the parish, young and old. His ministry extends far outside the church, and I have often marveled at how he “does it all.” His weekly sermons are inspirational and have often truly helped me with issues in my life. Please bring him back! Christmas without him was very upsetting.

Father Joe is a great man and a great priest. Father Joe’s direct connection and close involvement with teens is one of his greatest attributes as a priest. We are so grateful he spent time with our son and has had such a positive influence on him.

He is the reason to go to Mass . Sincerely his enthusiasm for the gospel , his weekly messages for doing to others , his love of our community and how he brings catholism to all - prositents do not shy away from him but feel his sincerity and have so much respect for him. He embraces all and the Hampton Roads Community recognizes our Parrish because of him . Without Father Joe coming to church is an obligation and I realize that receiving communion is important but sincerely he is my purpose . Please do not take that away from me and all who love and respect this wonderful man.

Blessed Sacrament is a better place with Fr Joe. We are anxiously awaiting his return!

I have known Father Joe since he came to Blessed Sacrament.I have travelled overseas with him and have had the pleasure of him coming to games I have coached at Saint Patrick’s. My grandson has served as an alter boy with him.I would trust my family with Father at any time and firmly believe that he is one of the finest pastoral priest that I have been associated with in my 75 years.He has been nothing but an asset to our parish he has come there. He like us all has some warts but that’s also character.We need him back at Blessed Sacrament. Amen John Yanez

Not only does the church need Father Joe back all the residents of Norfolk love, respect enjoy his ministering and need him counseling. His service to the next generation is one of his many attributes. Please bring back Father Joe. The Nusbaum family .

Father Joe is the reason we joined Blessed Sacrament years ago and is the reason we go to mass. Haven’t and won’t go back until he returns. Not the same without him.

Father Joe the goat!

Father Joe is a good man. Bring him back!

Our hearts are heavy for the Catholic church. Fr. Joe Metzger, who shows the Face of Christ in the most incredible ways, is being kept away from the parish family that he has helped nurture and grow. He has given blood, sweat and tears over the years as pastor to Blessed Sacrament and all other parishes he was called to minister. If there is nothing illegal or immoral Fr.Joe is being accused of, why has he has been uprooted from his home? Why has his parish has lost their shepherd. Why has the Tidewater community lost a much beloved advocate? How can this be fair? I do not understand. Fr. Joe has been an instrumental part in the lives my children, my husband and myself since the early 1990's. Our children were blessed to see Fr. Joe not only a priest but as a real human being. His love of God and His people is amazing. Giving from the heart has been shown to us many times over...collecting toys and finding a flight to get them to get to war torn countries; bringing crucifixes blessed by the Pope to all the children in our son's school; sending crucifixes to our grandchildren's classrooms in another diocese; praying for us in difficult times and sharing the joy of others. This IS Fr. Joe Metzger. All of this to share the love of Jesus in his heart and to let each person know they are important in the eyes of God. Please return this man to the ministry God has called him to. He is needed and hearts and lives are hurting.