Weekly pastor’s post (August 4 – 10)

A photo of a pocket watch hanging from a chain, held in front of a sidewalk. The pocket watch is in sharp focus while the sidewalk and greenery around it is blurry.

At the beginning of this week, Simcha Fisher published an article on her blog titled Sometimes the secret ingredient is time. I’ve never had the pleasure of meeting her, but I would swear she wrote this just for me! More than a few times over the last week – particularly in conversation with our vicars and staff – I’ve joked how my biggest enemy is my own impatience: I just want everything to be figured out now! Sigh. Between their sympathetic affirmations and the many conversations with key leadership and regular parishioners alike, I know I am not alone. We have no small amount of work ahead of us in discerning how to continue forward in living as a parish family.

Impatience aside, things are actually going pretty well! In particular, I want to take a moment to sing the praises of our staff and key leadership. As of today (Saturday), I’ve met with every parish council and am actively working with each of our staff members – all of whom have been patience, generous, and eager to get cracking on all things Partners in the Gospel. Though we’ve got plenty to do, we’re not just making connections (that too!) but actively working on liturgical planning, consistent faith formation programs, and discussing & discerning inter-parish decisions. Will things move fast? Well, no. But they ARE moving – and I’m edified and grateful by the hopefulness and cheer of all involved.

I mean, it’s kind of true…though I don’t anticipate that we’re going to be doing any dance routines (especially for five hours!)

But its not all big-picture stuff. With us three priests now firmly planted in our regions, I’ve found myself able to do things like visit parishioners at the hospital, make house calls, and take time to offer support to individuals looking for a friendly priestly ear. As much as I delight in administrative work (and if you haven’t figured it out, I absolutely do!), the heart of priestly ministry is in pastoral care. Not only that, but sometimes you get to discover that the people you’re visiting share a common interest – I know there’s at least one parishioner who I’ll be visiting not only for pastoral care but some mutual geeking out over shared fandoms! Even after fifteen years as a priest, I am continually surprised by how much fun it is to live and share the faith with others.

I hope you’re having a wonderful weekend. May God continue to bless us with graces, that we may truly experience the awesome wonder of being one in Him.

P.S. Next week we’ll be celebrating the solemnity (and holy day of obligation) of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. There are loads of Masses being offered the night before (vigil Masses) and the day of. Be sure to check out our website to find Mass times.

August 4 – Today is the memorial of Saint John Vianney, patron saint of parish priests. He is best known for simply being a holy priest of his parish in Ars, France. My favorite story about him is that a neighboring priest, jealous of Vianney’s popularity, started a petition to have him removed from his parish. When Vianney heard about it, he added his signature to the petition to be sent (and it was!) to the bishop. Happily, his bishop understood that the whole thing was rooted in pettiness and did nothing with it. Please pray for us parish priests, that we might emulate his holiness and humility. Elizabeth Scalia has a lovely reflection over at Patheos.

A painting by Pietro Perugino of Christ in glory on a cloud, flanked by Moses & Elijah kneeling on clouds to His left and right while Peter, James, John lay prone in fear below them

August 6 – Today is the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord. Some years ago I was blessed to be able to visit the mount – a medium-sized hill by Pacific Northwest standards! – where Jesus revealed His glory, accompanied by Moses & Elijah, to Peter, James, and John. Though he did not do it himself, Peter’s suggestion of making three tents for them was eventually realized in the erection of a church with three chapels, two small ones for Moses & Elijah, and the main body of the church dedicated to the Lord! Visit the official website to see it yourself and learn more about it.

A painting by Bernardo Cavallino of Saint Dominic, robed in the habit of his order, receiving the rosary from Mary, robed in white & blue while seated on a cloud

August 8 – One of the nicknames of the Dominicans – “hounds of the Lord” – comes from a Latin pun on their name “Domini canes”. As we celebrate the memorial of their founder, Saint Dominic, we thank God for all who follow in his footsteps, guiding (perhaps even herding!) us to the Lord through their charism of preaching. Let us pray for the Dominican order, most especially those serving locally. Visit their website to learn more about their order and ministry in the archdiocese.

A painting of Saint Lawrence, robed in his diaconal vestments, distributed the treasures of the Church to the poor

August 10 – Today is the feast of Saint Lawrence, deacon and martyr. Foremost, please say a prayer for our three deacons here on the Olympic Peninsula, as well as all deacons. We are blessed by their ministry and their generous self-giving to our communities. Read about their patron – and the good humored witness he models – at Word on Fire.