An Update About IRA Gift Transfers
Did you know?
Provisions of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 will allow tax-free contributions from IRAs up to $100,000 for those age 70-1/2 and older. Learn more...
It was a special joy for me to be asked by this year's Ordination class to participate in the ceremony by being in the Offertory Procession. I have not only had these in men in pastoral field education classes but been very much involved in their formation and visited them in parishes during their internship. It is hard to explain in a few words what emotion comes over me when these "guys" that I have cajoled, challenged and tried to inspire for six years, seem to suddenly stand before the cathedral congregation as priests!
I think, for me, a special moment in the ceremony is when after the men have been ordained by the laying on of hands, seven bishops and our cardinal, kneel and each newly ordained priest, gives his blessing and then the bishops kiss his hands which have been blessed with the holy oils of ordination.
As I indicated above, my role and my feelings about ordination are too deep for words, for over the years, as in any ministry, one develops deep and special relationships with the ones we serve. This has been very true for me. I have met many of the parents and families of seminarians over the years and had the joy of congratulating them on May 31. As I watched the priests of the archdiocese process in that day, I was also moved by the fact that so many of them had been my students at St. John's, and no wonder for I have been there over 13 blessed years.