As One Who Believes In The Power Of Prayer

28 May

Praise the Lord from the heavens;
praise him in the heights.
Praise him, all you his angels;
praise him, all you his hosts.

Let the kings of the earth and all peoples,
the princes and all the judges of the earth,
Young men too, and maidens,
old men and boys.

Praise the name of the Lord,
for his name alone is exalted;
His majesty is above earth and heaven.

He has lifted up the horn of his people;
Be this his praise from all his faithful ones,
from the children of Israel, the people close to him.
Alleluia. (PS 148:1-2,11-12,13,14)

God, indeed, is a good God and one to be praised.

I praise the name of the Lord and thank Him for calling me to the priesthood.  Today, I celebrate the thirty-first anniversary of ordination.  It seems like just yesterday and, yet, it seems like too many years ago to count!

The times have changed, the assignments have changed.  What remains the same is my desire to do the Lord’s will.  I hope that God will continue to give me the graces that I need to serve His holy people and I ask you to join me in praying for that.

Thank you, God, for being with me through the years:
1982 – Ordained a deacon.  Six months as deacon of St. Bridget, Hobart and six months as deacon at Holy Trinity, Gary
1983 – Ordained a priest.  Assigned as Associate Pastor of St. John Bosco, Hammond and Instructor at Bishop Noll Institute, Hammond
1985 – Assigned as Chaplain at the Carmelite Home for Boys, Hammond and Instructor at Bishop Noll Institute
1986 – Assigned as Pastor of Holy Trinity Church, Gary
1991 – Assigned as Chaplain at Indiana State Prison
1994 – Assigned as Pastor of St. Maria Goretti, Dyer
1996 – Assigned as Pastor of Queen of All Saints, Michigan City
2003 – Assigned as Pastor of St. Thomas More, Munster

As one who believes in the power of prayer, may I ask you to say a prayer for me today as I celebrate the anniversary of my ordination to the priesthood?  Many thanks!  God bless you…

FAITH ACTION:  Pray for an increase in vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, and religious life.