Pastor Gusie van Erp resigns after ten years | Best, Meierijstad and his son

“It almost went without saying. I come from a deeply religious family. I was an altar boy at the Antoniuskerk of the Wilhelminadorp in Best. Spirituality and faith have always interested me. Later, through work at the branch, my family, and a lot of volunteering, I began to do more for the church. Pastoral work nourished me. I then began to take theological training. There I felt like a fish in water. I pastored with Pastor Hans van Laarhoven. When he started working at Vitalis, I completely returned to his job.

“The Antonius parish has always been progressive. Pastor Schreurs, my great example, was a big supporter of women in the church. Very special for this time. I got my place because of him, but he kept me down. “Caviar is good,” he said, “but fish fingers every now and then are good too.” I remembered it well, because sometimes I wondered a little too much about myself.

“Antonius in Beweging works according to tradition. We just put it in a more modern form, with different forms of rituals and sacraments. Our church does not exclude anyone. It makes us different and also special. There is a lot of joy in the faith. I have given a lot and received a lot of beautiful things in return.

“Pope Francis took office when our religious community seceded. He also has this progressive look, just like us. Everyone is welcome to our church. The weekly number of visitors is high to our services. Unfortunately, it is not just about all the changes within the church.

,,I do not think so. Antonius in Beweging is an active religious community. The movement brought us together. I know everyone and everyone knows me because I come from them. I get a lot of commitment and satisfaction from it. This is how I am and this is where I want to stay: one of them.