Adjusting to the New Assignment
As I write this there is banging going on over my head. They are installing the carpeting in my suite. My move here to the Church of Our Lady of Sorrows-St. Anthony has been like a whirlwind, so much so that I still do not always feel like I am really here. As you know, I moved here about a month ago. I had requested from bishop a transfer from St. James, not because I did not like that assignment, but so I could be closer to my family as my father was being treated for terminal cancer. I had met with Bishop Smith on Dec. 1, got the call informing me of my transfer the next day, and had to report to OLS-St. Anthony by 6pm on Dec. 9. The night before my move my father took a turn for the worse, and was hospitalized. He would never return home, at least in this world, for God called him home to heaven on Dec. 20.
I have been tremendously blessed as a priest. At both of my assignments the other priests have been gems, and the parishioners have been wonderful. I mean, 6 months after being ordained and going to St. James I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. The pastor of St. James, Msgr. Lowery, worried about me nearly as much as my mother. One of the most touching scenes, which I will treasure in my heart always, was waking up very early (about 6:30am) the morning after my second surgery and finding Msgr. Lowery quietly praying in the chair near my bed. Fr. Alex and Fr. Joe covered so many extra Masses as I recovered, and they put up with my irritability as my hormones were way out of wack. Later, when Fr. Mike replaced Fr. Joe, he too could be counted on to help in anyway, and his friendship, especially after my father was diagnosed with terminal cancer is another treasure. How can I ever say enough about the parishioners at St. James who offered countless prayers, and many cough drops (as I recovered my voice), for my health. They responded again with prayers and Masses after my Dad died; a good number even traveled across the State to attend Dad’s funeral. Thank you seems so inadequate — all of you will always be in my heart and prayers.
Then I arrived at OLS-St. Anthony. The welcome has been wonderful. Of course there are many people who either know me or my family from having grown up in this area. When my predecessor, the other Fr. Garrett (his first name), left Msgr. Gervasio was told that he probably would not be getting a replacement so he decided to make a major renovation of the suite so it would be a guest room. Just as they tore out the bathroom he found out that I was coming. Living in one room (old office, future guestroom) as they finish my suite might be a little inconvenient at times, but it is a little thing. Msgr. Gervasio and Fr. Oscar have been true brothers in the priesthood, supporting me during my father’s death (again taking some extra Masses), and have quickly become friends. The people at this new assignment have also been amazing — my family have gotten so many Mass cards. In fact, just yesterday (Friday, January 13), the Mass I celebrated at St. Anthony’s was for my Dad, requested by the sacristan there.
As they put the carpet in today, the toilet and sink on Monday, and the furniture arrives Tuesday, I will settle more into this new assignment. One thing to get used to is not having to prepare a homily for every Sunday. Here at OLS-St. Anthony we have 8 permanent deacons, and they preach on the 1st and 3rd Sundays. This month, another one of my preaching weekends will be taken by the Bishop’s Appeal video. Hopefully, once I unpack my books and settle into my suite and office, I will start to write more reflections on this blog, and not just wait for my preaching weekends. I still want to finish my Liturgical Footnotes, and maybe start a discussion on a spiritual/theology book.
To quote St. Peter at the Transfiguration, “Lord, it is good for us to be here.”
