Bring Father Joe back!

The Catholic Church must be transparent is this day and time. Father Joe is not perfect, but who is? Transparency Is the key, and I believe the Bishop should take the lead. Parishioners have a right to know what has transpired and what is the future regarding Father Joe.

Miss Fr. Joe. Pray for him to return asap.

For me there is an emptiness and sadness when I go to the church now. I am not a priest idolizer. This affair just has no sense to me. UNJUST.

Not a member but have children who are and have attended many Masses at the church.

Please bring Father Joe back. He’s the best

God bless Father Joe. Our church s bit the same without him and the sadness of the congregation is very noticeable. Please bring him home to us , I have not felt inspired since he has left us. I have been a practicing Catholic since I was Five years old. No priest has made me want to be a better Christian , made me want to make this world a better place , he is irreplaceable. Please I beg you bring him home where he belongs.

Father Joe selflessly serves our community... the poor, the sick, the young. the old, ...all of those that need help...and our church grows. Isn't that a priest's job. Isn't that what Jesus did. Bring HIM back!

I miss Fr Joe and wish he would be reinstated at the earliest opportunity. This process has NOT been transparent.

I, along with a few devoted members have been a member of Blessed Sacrament Church since before Father Joe's presence. Those members and myself can all remember our previous pastors and our very small parish. I can remember attending mass as a youth and early teen and I remember how BORING AND UNRELATABLE our priest was during those years. I almost dreaded attending every Sunday but like most children and teens, was forced to attend by my devoted mother, Regina Woolridge. We have always resided next to the Parish house for the priests in Belvedere. When Father Goodman was pastor, never did he come and say Hi, never did he come for dinner (even though we never invited him), never did he come to pray for and with my mother when her parents passed, never did he do anything, really. Then in the late 90's early 2000's we were blessed with someone amazing! Father Joe!!! Immidiately wonderful and much needed updates and changes were happening within our parish....we now had a youth group, we had youth retreats, we had members who left our church returning to our church. We had a youth choir....I mean the list goes on and on and on! I said all of that to say this...Father Joe has been an amazing neighbor, priest, and friend. We have shared many dinners together....Now in my mid 30's, I can say that I am proud and honored to be a member of Blessed Sacrament Church and this is because of Father Joe....let's just keep it real here! When my daughter's father passed away in 2012 he was the first person I spoke to about it. He assisted and was present in helping me break this devistating news to (at the time) a 3 year old little girl. I was so broken myself and so saddened he literally took the lead and got down on her level and explained to my daughter what happened....in a sincere and respectable way that she would understand. I will absolutely NEVER EVER FORGET THAT! And I am eternally grateful for his assistance. My daughter adores him....my family adores him! WITHOU

We are praying for Father Joe to return to Blessed Sacrament. He is the spiritual leader for our community. His years & years of committed service have to out way any non intended factors. Consider all the good he has accomplished. We miss & need his guidance.

5 years ago, I decided to come into the church and unite my family. Father Joe confirmed me, blessed my marriage, baptized all 4 of my children and administered first Holy Communion for my first born. As a young, Catholic family in need of our Shepherd, Father Joe, it has broken our hearts to spend Advent and Christmas without him. Please, bring Father Joe back to his flock, Blessed Sacrament. We are praying for you, Father! Peace be with you!

I am an 85 year old woman and have never experienced a priest that is so dedicated to his ministry. Please send Fr Joe back to us as soon as possible!

Father Joe is the best priest we have ever had.He is honorable and totally dedicated.Please bring our pastor back.

Blessed Sacrement has, since our move to Norfolk, felt like our religious home. I did not realize how much of that was a product of Father Joe’s personality and openness. We crave his return.

As a military family, finding a new church with every move is always a challenge. However, Father Joe’s homily made us feel we’d found our new church home from the start. We registered with the perish that very week. Unfortunately Blessed Sacrement no longer feels the same without Father Joe. If he does not return soon, we will likely be looking for a new parish in the coming months. Please return Father Joe to his loving flock.

Father Joe is the BEST!

Father Joe, as well Blessed Sacrament church, renewed my faith. Please bring him back.

Father joe is a long time friend we attended his ordination many years ago. He was our rock win my mother in law passed suddenly. They don’t get any better than father joe Metzger.

I have known father joe since we both attended VA tech all sports camp back in the early 1970’s. We ended up being roommates and fraternity pledge brothers at Hampden-Sydney college. Joe is the most giving person I know. He helped me through many a troubled night dealing with my alcoholic mother while in school. Although I am not catholic, my family requested that Joe preside over My mother’ funeral a few years ago. It was such a special thing for him to take his personal time to be there in our time of need. Joe has always talked about being a priest and should be back with his Parrish.

We love our Lord, the Catholic Church, and Father Joe. The kids at Blessed Sacrament miss Fr. Joe so much. Our faith will remain, but it is an undeniable truth that Fr. Joe is a BIG part of our Catholic experience. Please, Bishop Knestout, hear our prayers.