A few days before I received Holy Orders (September 12, 1992), my altar servers surprised me with cards they created for the occasion. On the front cover of his hand-made card, John Cruickshank drew a picture of the sun shining over the world. Prefacing his card with “God said, ‘Let there be light’” [Gen 1:3], he penned a remarkable theology of the priesthood: THE WORLD needs a light to guide it through both good and bad times. A light to keep us true to the one true God above. The light is the clergymen. Richard, when you become ordained, you become that light: to keep our mind, body, soul, and spirit true to God. Are you ready for this Richard? If not, don't worry. Pray and God will help you. Was I ready? Well, yes and no. The challenge of offering homilies and hearing confessions floored me. Even so, John reminded me God is much stronger than worries. John knew God calls every priest to be a missionary wherever he may be. Michael Garcia, a younger altar server, pointedly emphasized the practical side. “I hope you enjoy your long-lasting lifetime as a ‘Father’. And I hope you enjoy your life-long time of not being MARRIED!” He wrote the word married in giant letters. My thirty years as a priest confirm celibacy as both Christ-like and sensible, for our Lord speaks of living faith as “a spring of water welling up to eternal life”. [Jn 4:14] Dan Kopfensteiner, like John and Michael, served my ordination Mass. He knew his presence at the liturgy would make a difference. “Dear ‘Father’ Richard,” he wrote, “I hope you don't get nervous. I will be there.” What calming words in the whirlwind. Over 35 years I’ve taught hundreds of boys the meaning of the Mass and how to serve worthily and well. To a young man thinking about priesthood, servers would say: Take one step at a time. Don’t worry about yesterday or tomorrow. Being a priest is a way of life not a reward. It’s a journey not an answer. To this I would add, “Allow (your) spirit to be overturned in order to make it turn towards God”. [Pope Saint John Paul II, 1984] +++
A few days before I received Holy Orders (September 12, 1992), my altar servers surprised me with cards they created for the occasion. On the front cover of his hand-made card, John Cruickshank drew a picture of the sun shining over the world. Prefacing his card with “God said, ‘Let there be light’” [Gen 1:3], he penned a remarkable theology of the priesthood: