My favorite priest from college is leaving campus ministry and getting reassigned, and they're having a going away dinner for him up at my college tonight. I haven't seen him really since I graduated in 2001. Whoa. That was a long time ago. But we are going to head up tonight and I can't wait. I have so many good memories of him!! I got to go on a few Habitat for Humanity trips with him over spring breaks my junior and senior year. One year we went to Pikeville KY and another time Marion SC. We spent the week building houses, and having a fantastic time. Fr. John drove about 10 students down, taught us all how to hammer, make sure the wood was "flush" and "square." He was extremely patient with us and now I feel like I am pretty good at hammering a nail! haha! He also got up early one morning, went to the Piggly Wiggly (you think I'm kidding) and made homemade cinnamon rolls for the 100 people who were sleeping at the church. He was getting his masters degree in Metal Arts at the time, and was making a chain for the incense to be used at the Chrism Mass. He let everyone help and patiently taught us all how to form the wires.
I lived at the Newman Center for 2 years, and those were some of the best years of my life. Fr. John's patience with us in teaching us new things has helped me be a better parent. I think of him and pray for him often, and I'm so excited to see him tonight!
We had a great time at St. Francis tonight! Fr. John sat with us for probably an hour and a half and chatted. It was fantastic. We also saw some old friends from college which was lots of fun. John Paul loved Fr. John.
When we left, he gave them both blessings. We are so lucky to have these wonderful priests in our lives!
4 comments:
Wow, you are so blessed! He sounds absolutely wonderful and I am sure you are going to have a great time! Fun! And thank God for holy priests!
You think you graduated college a long time ago? Try 1989, ha ha ha!!! You spring chicken, you.
Wow, retiring! I wish I had a priest I was close too. I had one in Va but we left then he went to SA! I'm relying on JP to be a priest so I can have him in my spiritual pocket:) Have fun!
I think M is really getting that smile down! What a great pic of the three of them!!
What a blessing to have so many wonderful priests in your life! I'm really glad you could get up there to say goodbye and the kids get a blessing, I love the pics!
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