Over the past week or so I have been reading though once again the huge number of get well cards and enrollments and other greetings that came to me during my time recuperating. I actually have three cardboard boxes filled with greetings!

As I began reflecting on these past few months, and on this 45th anniversary of my ordination, a whole host of thoughts and images came to me.

First off I remembered five years ago and the overwhelming celebration which so many of you took part in and made it a very memorable time. 

It is hard to realize that this is my tenth year here at St. Michael’s. Reading through all those get well cards, I realize once again that when we are in a church community as a priest for many years, so many long term relationships are formed. Most every person who sent a card triggered memories and a story about their lives – from birth to illness to death. That is one of the things I find so rewarding about priestly ministry. Relationship is the way God continues to reveal Himself and make Himself known in our world today.

As I was reflecting on all this last weekend, I received word that a long time friend of mine had died. She and her husband were members of my parish in Wellesley when I was newly ordained in the 1970s. They welcomed me into their family way back then and I have been involved with them ever since. Her husband died in mid-January of this year and she has followed four months late. May they rest in God’s peace!

   So life goes on and we continue to appreciate the precious gift of life everyday. And I appreciate the precious gift of priestly ministry God has bestowed upon me. And the precious gift of each you who have welcomed me into your families at important moments in your lives. May God continue to remain with us and shower His blessings upon us.