THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. This sounds a little like what Gomer Pyle said more than a few times on the Andy Griffith Show and the Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C. series except I added one more THANK YOU to acknowledge four gatherings of people that celebrated my 35th anniversary as a priest (and my eleven years as pastor of Sacred Heart Church).
It started at the LOSH meeting in May, continued at the Men's Club that month, then the Knights of Columbus who sponsored a Mass (with Bishop Taylor con-celebrating and preaching) and a dinner that took place on the actual anniversary of my ordination and included many nice gifts and a large monetary gift from the Knights and finally the parish life commission dedicated part of the program at the dinner for the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to acknowleding my anniversary with some presentations of gifts like a t-shirt (signed by parishioners) and a chef's apron both of which said "Father Knows Best" on them and a very generous monetary gift from the parish. Over this time, I received cards with nice expressions of appreciation and other gifts from parishioners that, all added together, leaves me overwhelmed with gratitude for such thoughtfulness and love that makes this an ordination anniversary one that I will never forget.
It also leaves me ever determined to give my best to the people of this wonderful parish, knowing that I am blessed to have so many people working with me to do the Lord's work in this parish and in this community. In a parish now without an active deacon on the altar (though Deacon Larry is still working behind the scenes), I know that we have dedicated and competent people in all areas of ministry there and I hope and pray more step up to make their gifts known and offer to use them in ways that will bless others, and themselves, and of course give glory to God. Just as may coaches who are acknowledged for their work, say that it is a team effort for success that involves assistant coaches, players and others, so I give thanks to God for the team effort of this parish to do God's work in the name of and in imitation of Christ and for the glory of God!!
I truly look forward to whatever time I am given to serve as pastor going forward and ask for your continued prayers, as I continue to pray for all of you !!
It started at the LOSH meeting in May, continued at the Men's Club that month, then the Knights of Columbus who sponsored a Mass (with Bishop Taylor con-celebrating and preaching) and a dinner that took place on the actual anniversary of my ordination and included many nice gifts and a large monetary gift from the Knights and finally the parish life commission dedicated part of the program at the dinner for the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to acknowleding my anniversary with some presentations of gifts like a t-shirt (signed by parishioners) and a chef's apron both of which said "Father Knows Best" on them and a very generous monetary gift from the parish. Over this time, I received cards with nice expressions of appreciation and other gifts from parishioners that, all added together, leaves me overwhelmed with gratitude for such thoughtfulness and love that makes this an ordination anniversary one that I will never forget.
It also leaves me ever determined to give my best to the people of this wonderful parish, knowing that I am blessed to have so many people working with me to do the Lord's work in this parish and in this community. In a parish now without an active deacon on the altar (though Deacon Larry is still working behind the scenes), I know that we have dedicated and competent people in all areas of ministry there and I hope and pray more step up to make their gifts known and offer to use them in ways that will bless others, and themselves, and of course give glory to God. Just as may coaches who are acknowledged for their work, say that it is a team effort for success that involves assistant coaches, players and others, so I give thanks to God for the team effort of this parish to do God's work in the name of and in imitation of Christ and for the glory of God!!
I truly look forward to whatever time I am given to serve as pastor going forward and ask for your continued prayers, as I continue to pray for all of you !!