God’s Love Made Present
I have preached about love in its many forms over the years and in the many years I spent in law enforcement and clergy ministry, and especially from my very Irish grandma, I have observed and experienced the love of God displayed in so many different ways in different scenarios and situations.
I would like to share with you the presence of God’s love that I recently witnessed and experienced firsthand. The weekend of January 15/16 was the official celebration of my retirement from active ministry as the Parish Liturgist and assistant to the Pastor. And the love of our wonderful Parish was on display.
First of all, I was blessed to have been able to assist at most all of the Masses and the receptions following each. The outpouring of your love and generosity was extremely powerful and soulfully nourishing.
I thank you, one and all, for your loving spirit, especially those whose generosity overwhelmed this poor soul, and you know who you are. I thank you all for your loving presence and participation in our wonderful parish. I thank our brothers in the Knights of Columbus for giving us a pancake breakfast after each of the Sunday morning Masses and the ladies of the Altar and Rosary Society for giving us punch cookies after the other Masses.
I wholeheartedly thank Father Henri for his patience and support through my times of, shall we say of epiphany or awakening. The transition from a law enforcement executive to doing God’s work as one of His clergy is a journey indeed.
I thank you all for your support in my ministry and I most certainly thank my beloved Dell for her support throughout our journey together.
And lastly, we will no doubt see you soon at Mass.
In our love and in the peace and love of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Deacon Rich
