Update #2
Alrghty... so it is really getting harder and harder to get a good internet connection at night around here... but anyway, here we go.
So I went to Shaw, MS, to serve a funeral that Fr Tom was preaching at. Shaw is a dying town with a small Catholic parish. Fr Don Deriveaux is the Sacramental Minister for it, but he does not live there. Fr Tom is the only priest in the county. But as I was sitting with the two priests (who are 66 and 79 yrs. old), I realized something. Here I am, looking up to these two hard working, holy priests. They are the old, wise priests of my time. But when they were in my shoes (Fr Tom was 26 when he was ordained), there was another group of old, wise priests that they looked up to and learned from. So in a sense, I am learning from the priests of our diocese who have already left this life. Only, I am learning from them, indirectly, through Fr Tom, Fr Don, Msgr Glenn, etc. And at the same time, all of these priests are above in heaven, still exercising their priesthood, the Priesthood of Christ, by praying for me and the other seminarians. On top of this, they are up there waiting for Msgr Glenn, Fr Don, and the rest to come an join them in their new work! And, God willing, in 3 years, I will share that common bond with them when I am ordained to the Presbyterate Order (to distinguish this Priesthood from the Common Priesthood). How awesome is that?
It seems that the bulk of my time here is built around the Eucharist. I recognize this at school since we celebrate Mass daily at 11:45. But here it is at a different time everyday. And some days, I celebrate it up to three times. Today I did it twice (daily Mass at 7am, and the funeral Mass at 2pm). Who am I to have such an oppurtunity? But it is not just about doing it because it has to be done. Rather, it is about the joy of praying the Heavenly Feast with your community, the parish. Not everyone will be able to make it at the exact same time. So the other Masses are needed. But what a privelage it truly is to be able to celebrate the Supper of the Lamb with so many wonderful people! It's the closest thing we have to heaven. And as a Priest in Mississippi, you get to experience it so much! What more could you ask for??
So I went to Shaw, MS, to serve a funeral that Fr Tom was preaching at. Shaw is a dying town with a small Catholic parish. Fr Don Deriveaux is the Sacramental Minister for it, but he does not live there. Fr Tom is the only priest in the county. But as I was sitting with the two priests (who are 66 and 79 yrs. old), I realized something. Here I am, looking up to these two hard working, holy priests. They are the old, wise priests of my time. But when they were in my shoes (Fr Tom was 26 when he was ordained), there was another group of old, wise priests that they looked up to and learned from. So in a sense, I am learning from the priests of our diocese who have already left this life. Only, I am learning from them, indirectly, through Fr Tom, Fr Don, Msgr Glenn, etc. And at the same time, all of these priests are above in heaven, still exercising their priesthood, the Priesthood of Christ, by praying for me and the other seminarians. On top of this, they are up there waiting for Msgr Glenn, Fr Don, and the rest to come an join them in their new work! And, God willing, in 3 years, I will share that common bond with them when I am ordained to the Presbyterate Order (to distinguish this Priesthood from the Common Priesthood). How awesome is that?
It seems that the bulk of my time here is built around the Eucharist. I recognize this at school since we celebrate Mass daily at 11:45. But here it is at a different time everyday. And some days, I celebrate it up to three times. Today I did it twice (daily Mass at 7am, and the funeral Mass at 2pm). Who am I to have such an oppurtunity? But it is not just about doing it because it has to be done. Rather, it is about the joy of praying the Heavenly Feast with your community, the parish. Not everyone will be able to make it at the exact same time. So the other Masses are needed. But what a privelage it truly is to be able to celebrate the Supper of the Lamb with so many wonderful people! It's the closest thing we have to heaven. And as a Priest in Mississippi, you get to experience it so much! What more could you ask for??
posted by Scott the Seminarian at 6:31 PM
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