Message from the Parochial Vicar

Dear Friends in Christ,

I think that it goes without saying that these first 4 months as a priest have been out of the ordinary, getting ordained in a pandemic, moving into a parish and not being able to meet the parishioners, and only having a limited number of people at Mass, all while wearing masks. But it has also been the most joyful 4 months in my life, and it is amazing to think that it has already been 4 months, it feels like it has only been 1.

I have to be honest and say that I was, and for the most part still am, very nervous to be assigned to St. John Neumann. Having been here before as a seminarian, I knew the parish to some degree, and I knew that I was coming to a parish that is very much alive and in love with Jesus Christ, and a parish that has had a very long list of good and holy priests assigned here. I would liken it to a rookie coming out of college and entering the major leagues to play for a team of All-Stars and Super-Stars. It is very intimidating knowing that you are joining a team with players that you have so much respect and admiration for, and it can make one feel like they are not adequate or good enough to be part of such a team.

And there are two ways to respond to that, one can either fall apart and crumble, allowing the nerves and the greatness of the people around them get the better of them, or one can learn, work hard, and strive for the greatness around them, out of the love and respect that one has for the people around them, and their love and respect for the team and sport that they play.

And I think that is why there have been so many great priests that have come through St. John Neumann. Not because those priests were great in their own right, but because of all of you and your love and commitment to the Church, the sacraments, and the Most Holy Eucharist. Your love for Christ has called every single priest who has been here to greater holiness. And if a priest is worth his salt, then he will stretch himself and sacrifice everything that he has for his people, and provide for them and feed them, as Christ tells Peter on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. And in order to do that, us priests need to continuously return to the Good Shepherd so that we are able to feed you. You call us to greatness and holiness.

And that is just some long-winded way of saying thank you. Thank you for your love for Christ. Thank you for your fidelity to the Church. Thank you for challenging me, pushing me, and stretching me to be a good and holy priest. Because I know I am nowhere near the priest that God is calling me to be or near the priest that all of you deserve. I don’t think anyone who knows me would’ve thought that I would buy a bike and train to bike 100 miles for vocations, but mainly to ride and pray with all of you. That is just one example of how you are helping me stretch and grow.

I have already learned a lot these last 4 months, and I am excited to continue to learn, work hard, and play/pray hard. Even though we have had very limit contact and interaction, being able to celebrate Mass, hear confessions, visit the sick, help with the youth group and young adults, has been an amazing experience and grace for me. And I ask for your continued prayers as I grow in love with Christ and His Church, and in my identity as a priest of Jesus Christ. Thank you again and prayers for all of you.