My nephew recently rode a mechanical bull.  He was surprised when he was thrown from it and much more joyfully surprised to see his father contend with the machine.  Both children and adults can be surprised.  A lady may know very well that her beau will propose, but it's still a very joyful surprise when he does.
     We will be celebrating the Transfiguration this Sunday.  You can just imagine how surprised Peter, James, and John were.  I wonder if Moses and Elijah were surprised too.  God wants to share His glory with us.  Even knowing this, we are often surprised by His love for us.
     Well, I received quite a surprise on Monday.  Bishop O'Connell called and asked me to go to St. John's in Lakehurst as administrator with the expectation of being named pastor several months from now.  I gladly accepted.  My report date is August 18th.
     Among the surprising aspects is that my family used to go to St. John's for Mass until our new home parish in Whiting was created.  Also, several of my classmates from my graduating class are active in Lakehurst and Manchester including the Manchester mayor, the high school principal, a member of the Manchester Board of Education, and the receptionist for Manchester town hall.  Having another member of the class of '90 involved locally will surprise many.
     To continue with surprises, I am also pleasantly surprised that my friend, Fr. Joe Jakub, will be coming to Visitation.  We were in seminary at St. Charles together.  He was ordained a year ahead of me but is several years younger.  A couple years after my ordination, he formed a priest group of our friends.  We meet once a month for prayer, discussion, and fellowship.
     I want to thank you for all of your prayers and support during these last five years.  It's been quite an adventure.  I ask you to continue to pray for me as I pray for you.  Please pray for Fr. Joe Jakub, welcome him, and support him as he humbly serves you as a priest of Jesus Christ.  Be open to being surprised by God's love!

Fr. Jim.

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Opening the Word: Feast of the Transfiguration This Sunday https://formed.org/study/5812813b90e3652419f41300/lesson/581273aa90e3652419f412ec
Join Saints Peter, James, and John in one of the most pivotal moments of Jesus's public ministry using Opening the Word. This dynamic and exciting journey into Scripture invites you to explore the Sunday readings more deeply, and apply the teachings of the Word of God to your daily life so that you can live your Catholic faith in a powerful way.

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