Jesus Christ is Risen! Alleluia! He is Risen indeed! Alleluia!

      May 7, 2019, marks 25 years since the Church ordained me a priest by the hands of Bishop Robert Banks. Bishop Banks ordained me with the approval and acclamation of my confreres of St. Norbert Abbey, as well as the affirmation of the family and friends who had gathered that day. Many others had contributed to preparing me, not just for that day, but also for a whole life of service in the Catholic Church as a member of the Norbertine Order.

     I do not know how I would be a priest if not as a member of the Norbertine community of St. Norbert Abbey (formally known as The Premonstratensians – those who come from the Valley of Premontre, France, where the Order was founded 899 years ago by St. Norbert and companions). The vocation I try to live every day is a vowed commitment as a member of St. Norbert Abbey. As a member of the Abbey, I promised to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ, according to the example of Sts. Norbert and Augustine, and according to the Rule of St. Augustine and the Constitutions of the Order of Premontre. I live those vows in community with my brother Norbertines seeking fidelity to the evangelical vows of poverty, consecrated celibacy, and obedience.

     The Church consecrated me by the Sacrament of Holy Orders in order to serve. The education, training, and experiences I received before ordination were for the sake of serving the people, not for me personally. By celebrating Sacraments, preaching, teaching, offering pastoral care and counsel, etc., I lovingly serve the Church, the People of God. Similarly, married couples by virtue of the Sacrament of Marriage serve the church by the love they share with one another, by the love they share through their children, and by the love they share with others.

     Our vocations are not our own. As a priest, it is not adequate to say, “My priesthood.” Priesthood is a vocation through which I serve others. It is a vocation within the Church. Likewise, a marriage is not simply for the sake of the couple. It is an act of generosity, an act of unselfishness by which the couple says that God’s love is great! They cannot keep this love to themselves. Again, it is a vocation of loving service.

Therefore, I give thanks WITH all of you for the vocation of service through priesthood. Ad multos annos!

Jesus Christ is Risen! Alleluia! He is Risen indeed! Alleluia!

Peace, Fr. Andy