The Perfect Ending

Last Saturday we attended our diocesan priestly ordinations. Reed and I are fond of ordinations for a number of reasons, but we also become mushy about them since it was at the ordination of a friend of ours that Reed first saw me from afar. Romantic, I know. It wasn't until several years later that we finally met and figured out that I was in fact the woman he saw.

Any way, mostly due to distance we haven't been able to attend an ordination for quite some time. Well, also because there were a few years in there that we didn't have an one due to the fall in our seminarian population. Thankfully, we're getting a steady increase of dedicated, wonderful young (and older) men that are discerning God's call. So, with that, our children had not yet been to an ordination mass yet either. We finally figured that they could handle the length (a good two hours) and it would be the perfect way for them to see first-hand what a beautiful thing it is to see these men dedicate themselves to priestly ministry.

As timing would have it, we were running a bit later that morning and arrived at the Cathedral exactly 5 minutes before things began. We walked in and priests and seminarians were in formation standing their posts. And the church? Absolutely PACKED. No room in the inn for our little family. Until we discovered that there were still a few coveted pews way up in the balcony. You know what? That was even better because it allowed the kids to see fully every movement and beauty that I had explained would happen.

I think Divine Providence played a role in the actual scheduling of these ordinations since last Saturday just happened to be the final day of the Year For Priests that the Church celebrated. How's that for the pinnacle of this prayerful year?

Of course, I had to snap photos like crazy in hopes to capture whatever I could to share with you. And yes, I still did my best to remain prayerful and attentive the whole time.


Not all of our diocesan priests attended, but some of our favorites were in the crowd!


And of course some of our favorite seminarians were also assisting the Bishop. Standing at the steps are the three men to be ordained.


One of my favorite solemn moments in the ordination mass, when the other priests gather around and lay hands on each of the newly ordained.


Then all of them wait around the altar and then welcome the new priests as their brothers in Christ.


Fr. Michael, Fr. Scott & Fr. Matthew, our new priests processing out with their parents. I bet they were pretty darn proud of their sons!

When Home Calls You Back...

I remember how much tradition was a precious part of every feast day. How angelic a full choir sounds. The uniqueness of a small town with two Catholic churches, which both remain open. The faithful people who helped form you spiritually as a part of your faith community. How most of them still remember my name.

I'm reminded how much I miss tradition and precious beauty of that large, old church building that was such an important part of my life. And I am glad that in that small town there is a beautiful parish that I still call HOME.

As the Year for Priests comes to a close, I am again reminded how blessed we are with some very wonderful, holy men to guide and lead us.

He's So Much F-U-N!

We had a guest last night. Well, actually we had two supper guests and one of them stayed overnight. Both of them priests. And we had a BLAST! It worked quite well as we continue in our efforts to do special things for our priests during The Year of The Priest.

My spirits are lifted, my heart is filled. You know how a good friend can do that? And then for that friend to be a mutual one to both you, your husband and your children, well, it tends to leave your heart content and at peace.

I've spoke of him several times here and shown photos, because he is just THAT SPECIAL to our family. He is the Vocations Director for our diocese and there is no mistake why he is in that position. He has a gift and he uses it.

Yesterday, he was speaking to the youth of our parishes here about vocations, so we invited him over for a meal along with our own parish priest. Good conversation and great food (if I do say so) are always a great combination. Afterwards, our guests left so that they could go celebrate Mass with more youth and parishioners. Of course, there again, a wonderful addition to our evening. Then it was back to our house for more good/late evening conversation. This morning, we were fortunate to be blessed with his sunshiny face once again.

To say that the kids were excited to have him visit would be an understatement! They know that Fr. G prays with them, pays attention to them, talks to them, plays with them, is crazy with them. What more could they ask for? It didn't take long for the kids to start running around playing hide and seek and other games with their friend. They were especially excited to postpone school a little bit so that they could eat breakfast with him and play some more!

As always, a good time was had by all of us! I am rejuvenated physically, mentally and spiritually, just by a simple visit. *sigh*

Here's a few photos:

Checking out our schoolroom

Happy


Grumpy

Can't you see why we enjoy him so much?

Chalice Of Strength

Until next June, Catholics around the world are being invited to pray in a special way during The Year Of The Priest. In our home we've been praying, but I'll admit I'm still searching for something more to do to honor our faithful priests. As I've said here before, a number of them are friends of ours and they deeply impact our lives. We are so grateful for them and their vocation.

This week our family is blessed to have the 'Traveling Chalice' in our midst in our home. It is visiting us from my hometown parish where the priest has asked that one of his personal chalices travel each week to a different home within his parishes. My parents asked us months ago if we would like to participate and we eagerly agreed. The priest there is a beloved man of God, Fr. Mark. If you have ever met this gifted man, you would know that he is a spirit-filled man with a true servants heart. He asked that this chalice would travel so that each family would be blessed with its presence and that each one would also pray that week in particular for priests throughout this Year of the Priest. Isn't that a wonderful idea?

So, yes, this week pray we will. I ask that you also intercede and pray along with us as well, wherever you are. Near or far. Please pray for priests in a special way and also pray for Fr. Mark in particular. He is currently on a six month sabbatical as he tries to return to better health. He is currently fighting his second bout of cancer. Yes, so close to Christ's heart is he that he has been chosen again to fight this disease.

This post is also timely because Fr. Mark appeared just last week on one of the major news channels here in MN as he shared briefly his story, his faith and HOPE.(Can you see why this priest is near and dear to my heart?) Fr. Mark's first bout with cancer was in his final year of seminary, before becoming a priest. He was given special permission by the Pope and the bishop ordained him early since they didn't think he would make it in his fight with cancer. Shortly after ordination, the tumors began to shrink and he survived. That was 19 years ago. He has spoken his story to many through the years and he has never forgotten to given God all the glory for his miracle he received.

Prayers are powerful and Fr. Mark knows and believes that. Just yesterday he shared that he can feel his tumors shrinking and this round of chemo is going so much better for him. That is why I am asking you to join me this week in prayer. Fr. Mark will receive four more treatments in the next couple of months and I know he would appreciate you prayers for his continued healing. You can read his journal entries on his Caring Bridge site and keep updated on his progress. Don't be shy, please sign his comments and let him know you are praying for him this week. I told him last week that I would be sharing his story with all of you and you'd send him an abundance of prayers!




Prayer for Priests

Gracious and loving God, we thank you for the gift of our priests. Through them, we experience your presence in the sacraments.

Help our priests to be strong in their vocation. Set their souls on fire with the love for your people. Grant them the wisdom, understanding and strength they need to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. Inspire them with the vision of your Kingdom.

Give them the words they need to spread the Gospel. Allow them to experience joy in their ministry and help them to become instruments of your divine grace.

We ask this through Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns as our Eternal Priest. Amen.

Wordless Wednesday: Vocations Camp

Year of the Priest

Did you know that June 19th officially kicked off celebrating a Year for Priests? I am so excited! Why? Well, because we just happen to have several priest who are very dear to my family's hearts. I can't wait to find little ways to celebrate their wonderful 'yes' and their vocation to the priesthood.

Perhaps this much exuberance from a married woman toward celibate, single men sounds a bit weird. And really, it wasn't until I just typed it that even I found it sounding a bit odd. Really though, rest easy. I am happily, faithfully married. And hey, my husband was in the seminary once! Ok, now it's getting worse..there's a name for women who steal men away from seminary's (I won't share it here), isn't there? Rest assured, hubby was only in the seminary for one year and he was out of it for five years before we met.

Priests probably became close friends in my family sometime around my teen years and for a number of reasons. One reason would be that around that time, my parish was blessed to have two wonderful priests assigned to our cluster of several area Catholic churches. One of the priests was 'older' and the other 'younger'. Both were full of wit and wisdom and they spoke from the pulpit like I had never heard before in my life. They had a lot to say and I enjoyed listening every Sunday! These men quickly became guests at our family table and at our family functions.

Another reason that priests have been a prominent part of my life, would be that my brother entered the seminary and pursued it for 4 1/2 years. With all of the time my family spent visiting him a couple of hours away in the seminary, priests became very much a part of our lives.

Then of course, Reed and I are particularly indebted to two certain priests since they are the reason we are together today. It was through them that we met and well, the rest is history. To this day, those two special men remain a huge influence in our lives and in the lives of our children as well.

I must say, that I perhaps have gotten a rare glimpse into the priesthood. I have been unusually blessed by being surrounded by some of the most faithful priests there are. They have blessed our home with laughter, prayer and encouragement. There have been many times that Reed and I have counted our blessings and realized that we have wonderful friends in such men as these.

I've also seen the 'human' side of these chosen men as well. When they have been discouraged, felt unloved and misunderstood, when they have struggled with their vocation, when they have been hurt by the harsh words of a parishioner. These are the reasons that we will be celebrating the Year of the Priest in our household. We will try and honor these men who have diligently and faithfully followed their call and their vocation as a Catholic priest.

They need our support and encouragement. A kind word. A thoughtful card. Our prayers. Try to find a way to celebrate your parish priest or other local priests this year. Remind them how much they are appreciated and loved and thank them for their faithful service to the Catholic church.


PRAYER FOR PRIESTS

Praise to you, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for in your infinite love you care for your people by the ministry of priests. May their faithful service bring lasting good to your Church and great happiness to them. Help them to do what is right, that by their teaching and living we may grow in the knowledge of your love. As our priests instruct your people, enlighten them with the wisdom of Christ the Teacher. As they preach your Word and celebrate the Sacraments, sanctify them with the holiness of Christ the High Priest. As they face weakness, suffering and discouragement, strengthen them with the grace of Christ the Life-Giver. As they work for peace, unity and healing in your Church, uphold them with the courage of Christ the Reconciler. Giver of all good gifts, make the ministry of our priests a spiritual offering pleasing to you, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.