My Dearest Parishioners,

I pray that you are all well and are staying physically and spiritually safe. Today, I share no statistics nor quirky humor, but rather very somber news.

Our Bishop has asked us to keep Fr. Philip Tighe, our Diocesan Vocations Director, in our prayers as he prepares to enter home hospice care this Monday, August 10th. Fr. Tighe has fought a heroic battle with esophageal and liver cancer and it is approaching the time for him to go home.

Fr. Tighe is one of the finest priests to be ordained for his native diocese of Raleigh and he has impacted countless lives and has nourished and shepherded well innumerable souls. He has made me a better priest, and he has done more in 20 years as a priest than we will ever know.

The deep sadness that shrouds this moment is nothing compared to the glory that awaits Fr. Tighe and all of us in Heaven. But, it is the process of leaving the womb of this world to fall into the arms of our God that can be a source of anguish and doubt.

I beg your prayers for our dear brother, that he might wring every ounce of joy that is left in him so that those saddened by this moment might drink of the comfort of hope. Many times when we pray, we swing for the fences and look for the home run miracle. But the goal of the game is to advance the runner, not to clear the bases.  A ground out or a sac fly that advances the runner is better than 3 herculean swings that catch nothing but air. Our brother is on third base and he needs to come home. Our prayers will get him there, just hit it beyond the infield and Phil will do the rest. He'll one day soon stroll across the plate and the Father will say, "Well done, my good and faithful servant! Come and inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of time".

The High Priest, Jesus Christ, died on a Cross for us and his death has saved us. Fr. Tighe now enters into his personal Holy Week, and we must accompany him in our hearts because he is about to fulfill and complete his Priesthood, which will continue one day in Heaven for all eternity. Everything that he has and will suffer is for the salvation of souls.

May the prayers of another native son, Fr. Thomas Frederick Price, help you to fall in greater love with God and to live your blessed Catholic Faith to the fullest.

Y'all are in my constant thoughts and prayers. Let us do the same for Fr. Tighe.

Our Lady of Lourdes, Pray for him.

Your Pastor,

Fr. Pat