Twenty years ago, Karl Abts from Veltem-Beisem (Herent) took up residence as pastor in the church of Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-Waver. Later, some surrounding parishes were added. “I quickly felt at home in Wavre,” he says. “When parishes were added, I had to divide my attention, but the good relationship with the parishioners in Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-Waver has always remained.”
It became clear on Sunday that the faithful like their pastor. The parish team and the church council worked together to organize a surprising and festive thanksgiving celebration. “We couldn’t just ignore the fact that Karl Abts has been our pastor for twenty years,” say the initiators. “That’s why we provided several surprises. There was extra festive organ music and a youth choir provided the singing. The children from the children’s service also made drawings.”
Twenty years ago, Karl Abts became pastor in Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-Waver. — © Leen Van de Sande
The pastor was visibly impressed by the thanksgiving celebration. “I didn’t realize anything for a long time,” he says. “But after a while something started to seep through. So I started to suspect a few things. Yet there were still surprises until the last minute. For example, I didn’t know that a youth choir would provide the singing. The church was also beautifully decorated with flags of the associations. That was also a surprise.”
Tears
In his acceptance speech, the celebrated pastor even became emotional. “My parents were both present, which doesn’t happen very often anymore,” he says. “I am very grateful to them for the opportunities they have given me. Together with the festivities that the parish team had organized, it became too much for me. I suddenly felt the tears coming. I am so grateful that the parishioners wanted to do this for me and that there were so many people in the church. There were also many people from other parishes.”
Another reception followed the celebration. — © Leen Van de Sande
After the celebration, the pastor’s anniversary in Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-Waver continued with a festive reception in the church. There, together with the faithful, we looked back on the past two decades. “During that period I had the opportunity to work with a lot of great people. I am very grateful to them for that. Unfortunately, some are no longer there, while others are a day older and can no longer come to church. But I think of them, especially on days like today.”
Get on
At 58 years old, Abts is not immediately thinking about retirement. “God willing, I will continue for a while. As long as my health allows it, I will remain a pastor here,” he said. “But I have never been able to do it alone, nor will I be able to do so in the future. That is why I am happy that I can count on a strong parish team and the altar boys.”
The children handed in a drawing to the pastor. — © Leen Van de Sande
A youth choir provided the singing during the special celebration. — © Leen Van de Sande
In the church of Wavre it was celebrated that Karl Abts has been pastor there for twenty years. — © Leen Van de Sande
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