The Lord works, as they say, in mysterious ways and I find myself up just after midnight contemplating how wonderful that is. Especially after a particularly emotional few weeks, I find myself with several reasons to rejoice – ostensibly after coming home this evening from an emergency call where I was privileged to offer a Catholic the last rites with her husband & loved ones at her side. God only knows what the next hours will hold for her, but thanks to the care of her family and Divine Providence, she has all that needs in preparation for His call to His side.

The late night always offers a sort of melancholic mysteriousness, but especially so while driving home on an empty highway after having celebrated the sacraments in such powerful moments. Already this week has brought amazing graces – Monday morning we started the day off with our new daily Mass at Queen of Angels. Our whole school comes to this Mass – not as a ‘school Mass’ (where the kids fulfill ministerial roles, but simply present in the normal prayer of the Church. It is only our second time with this new weekly practice and there are already fruits coming forth for our students & community.

After Mass, one of our deacons (Deacon Stewart) and I drove to the home of a local Christian who has been preparing for full initiation into the Church. He is homebound and can only come to church very occasionally. After many months of preparation, I was privileged to receive him into the Church, offer him the sacrament of Confirmation, and give him his First Holy Communion. Though the rites didn’t take terrifically long to celebrate, it was a joyful moment with him, his sponsor, a couple of friends, and us clergy!

Working at the parish office is a great blessing as well. We have great staff and volunteers across the Olympic Peninsula and while we absolutely work our tails off on a whole variety of things, there is no shortage of teasing, laughter, and good humor ringing out throughout the day. We brainstorm about problem-solving little problems (a double-booked room between two big events) as well as discussing exciting new things to do as a community (Solemn Vespers from the Office of the Dead for All Souls Day!). The front office ladies gentle rib me for forgetting yet again to give them paperwork they asked for a couple weeks ago (finally got it together today!) and I poke back about who’s really in charge around here anyway (TLDR: it’s the ladies – always the church ladies!). Our newest staff member, training to take over book keeping from our retiring book keeper, giggles in the background as she hears us alternate between productivity and goofiness.

Eventually the Diet Coke I grabbed on the way home this morning will wear off and I’ll go to bed, gratefully sleeping in today (my day off) after a very full Monday. I am certain problems local and remote will be waiting to crowd their way back in, but the responsorial psalm from the day rings especially true: “The Lord has done marvels for us.” It is good to be Catholic – and a special blessing to be a priest! As we journey through this coming week, I invite you to join me in counting the gifts & graces that God is bestowing upon us – they are many. May we be ready to lift each other up, in prayer and encouragement, proclaiming even (especially!) in our fallen world the goodness of the Lord.

May you have a wonderful week. Rest assured of my prayers for you.

September 21 – Though Sunday celebrates supercedes feasts, today is nonetheless the feast of Saint Matthew, apostle & evangelist. We don’t know much about his life save that he was a tax collector before he became an apostle – and that he is the author of the Gospel of Matthew. Jesus’ call and Matthew’s immediate response offer inspiration to us all. The Lord calls all – even tax collectors! – and we are invited to follow just as eagerly. What great mercy and love that the Lord would choose Saint Matthew to be His apostle and one of the evangelists. Read more about him at the Catholic Culture website.

September 23 – Today is the memorial of Pius of Pietrelcina or ‘Padre Pio’, as he was popularly known. Though there have been many saints from the last century, Padre Pio was one of the most popularly known holy priests of several generations. Joining the Capuchins at the age of 15, he had a vision of Jesus after which he had the stigmata (the wounds of Christ) in his hands, feet, and side. He became so well-known that his superiors became concerned that he was seeking fame and severely restricted his ministry – he was not allowed to celebrate Mass publicly or hear confessions. Though these strictures were eventually reversed, he never complained during or after their imposition. He died in 1968 and was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2002. Read Pope John Paul II’s homily on the day of the canonization.

September 24 – Today the Church celebrates the memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy or Our Lady of Ransom. In the twelfth century Saint Peter Nolasco, a French merchant, dedicated his wealth to to free captives of the Moors. While he was praying for them, Mary appeared to him and asked him to found a religious order for the mission of freeing those in captivitity. She also appeared to King James and Saint Raymond of Penyafort, both of whom went on to support his efforts. Eventually the Order of Mercy or Mercedarians, was formed. So dedicated were they to freeing captives that they took an additional vow – to offer themselves as a ransom in exchange for the freedom of enslaved Christians.  Read more about the Mercedarians at their website.

September 27 – Today is the memorial of Saint Vincent de Paul. Here on the Olympic Peninsula, we are having several celebrations of this day as we honor the inspiration behind the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul. In nearly every parish I have served, there has been a conference of Vincentians serving our neighbors most in need. When someone calls the parish office asking for food, clothing, housing or other kind of assistances, we send them to our local conference – with full confidence that their needs will be met with care and compassion. Please join me in praying for our Vincentians and all the members of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul. If you’re on the Olympic Peninsula, consider coming to one of the celebrations (with food afterwards ;-)) of Saint Vincent de Paul and those who follow in his footsteps. Read more about him at the Catholic Heroes website.