The priest is first and foremost, the bearer of the mystery. Father (now Bishop), Robert Barron writes, “The primary function of the bearer of Mystery is to hold up to the people of God, the great images, stories, and pictures of salvation that are at the heart of the Christian tradition…. (He) presents the truth which is God’s love in Christ, and seduces, draws the worshiping community to share in it.” (from Bridging the Great Divide) The priest does not make Christ present. God’s love in Christ is present everywhere, but sin has blinded us to it. The priest is the one consecrated in this love and sent, as head and shepherd of the flock, to bear witness to it, to proclaim it, point it out and lead others into communion with it. (from “The Diocesan Priest: Consecrated, and Sent” by Msgr David Bohr P. 159)
Time slips by so quickly and so slowly. Certain dates and times become markers in our lives as time slips quickly and slowly through the hourglass of life.
Eighteen years ago on June 4th, 2005 Bishop Patrick McGrath ordained me to the priesthood for the Diocese of San Jose. It seems like the 18 years have passed so quickly at times and then the time has moved so very slowly.
As I reflect back on the last year here are some blessings.
1. In late June I took a month of vacation as I visited my family and celebrated with the Haener side at a family reunion. it was such a great blessing to be home and hear the stories of growing families, seeing aunts and uncles and counting the grey hairs among my contemporary cousins.
2. Then there was the blessing of visiting the many parts of our country as I drove across the northern part of our great land visiting interesting tourist attractions as I journey to a week of study at Notre Dame in Indiana and the return again seeing largest cement gnome as well as the largest ball of twine in the world. Who know there were such wonders to discover.
3. In August we began our second year of school at St. Lawrence the Martyr Elementary and Middle School. It is my favorite month of the year when we welcome back our students and their families to the great learning adventure. I also assisted Fr. Ukeme in getting his California drivers license.
4. September…was the new year of Confirmation, RCIA and Catechism…was there any huge and glorious memory of during the month. No, but the reality of God’s graces brought small gifts that may have been forgotten but certainly continue to shape my call to serve and shepherd.
5. October was full a big things…I still laugh with joy at our animal blessing on the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi….the wonder of the love of pets and grace of the children and adults was a true gift. The wedding of a wonderful couple and the presenting of a Marriage Encounter experience at the end of the month fills my heart and continue to fill me with the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
6. Looking through my November and December calendar reminds me of how busy we can be as priests. It seems every day is filled with gifts of ministry and the work of administration that fill the life of a pastor…but…celebrating the 50th anniversary of a beloved couple I have walked with as they have shared the health struggles of their great-granddaughter, the marriage of the granddaughter and just the joy of the day. But also the death of one of my brother priests, Fr. Paul Coung Phan, before Christmas, reminds us of how life is precious and filled with life.
7. And the new calendar year began…highlights included the West Coast Walk for Life at the end of January, and the celebration of Catholic School Weeks and ending the month of February with our off campus Confirmation retreat with our teens and leaders sharing faith and opening our hearts to the Holy Spirit as we began our Lenten journey.
8. March saw the joy of the re-dedication of St. Catherine of Alexandria’s church building (my first pastorate) experiencing God’s greatness in the renovation of a building that has been long dreamed of and done with such care and blessing. The beauty shines forth the glory of God.
9. Easter was celebrated with such great hope and blessing. as we began April but there was also the celebration of the 75th Anniversary of St. Lucy Parish, (my second pastorate) seeing old friends and reconnecting with friendships put on hold.
10. May saw my 62nd birthday but also the death of our second bishop of San Jose, Bishop Patrick J. McGrath. The day of my anniversary brings a remembrance of sadness and thanksgiving remembering his life and the turning of the page of our local Church.
Well that is it…thank you for your prayers and blessing and I look forward to serving you for the next year.
God bless
Fr. Mark
“At his ordination, the priest, like Christ himself, is consecrated for mission. Indeed, during the right of Ordination of Priests, the bishop amid a series of questions asks the elect: “Do you resolve to be united more closely every day to Christ, the High Priest, who offered himself for us to the Father, as a pure sacrifice, and with Him consecrate yourselves to God for the salvation of all?” The elect, then response: “I do, with the help of God.” We can hear in the extended ritual dialogue, the reverberating Echo, across the centuries of the Risen Lord’s threefold, questioning of Peter, when they had finished breakfast, on the shore of the sea of Tiberius, “When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter,* “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”* He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.”… “Tend my sheep.”… “Feed my sheep.””(John 21:15–17) (p. 93)