Celebrating God’s Faithfulness

 - September 17, 2016

 

Anniversaries are special occasions. And what a weekend this is! For we celebrate not just one, but three anniversaries of priestly ordination: for Fr. Adelchi Bertoli, on July 8, 1951, at the Duomo SS. Ermacora e Fortunato di Udine; for Fr. Gerald Westphal, right here at St. Monica’s, on September 17, 1976; and finally for myself, Fr. Raymond Lafontaine, at Mary, Queen of the World Cathedral, on August 30, 1991. Combined, that makes a total of 130 years of service in the priesthood of Jesus Christ – 63 spent right here at St. Monica’s!

In the readings specially chosen for this Mass, we bear witness to a vision of priesthood which we share: anointing in the Holy Spirit and the call to proclaim justice, freedom, and mercy (Isaiah); thanksgiving, humility, and the call to shared ministry (Philippians); and most poignantly, in the conclusion of John’s Gospel, the call to love and friendship with Jesus, to generous service as shepherds of his flock, to self-gift and surrender to God’s will, even unto death. It is a tall task to embrace, but made possible by the grace of God, by the generous support of loving family and friends of integrity, and by a supportive community to whom and with whom we serve. For all of these, we are profoundly grateful!

Thank you to all those who have helped – not only in this celebration, but also in the individual celebrations for myself in July and for Fr. Bertoli in August. May this beautiful prayer of St. Ignatius of Loyola express our desire to continue to serve the Lord and his people for many years to come.

 



Take, Lord, Receive

Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty, my understanding, my entire will, all that I have and possess. You have given all to me. To You, O Lord, I return it. All is yours, dispose of it according to your will. Give me your love and your grace, for this is enough for me.