Dear Friends,
Today is a day of rejoicing for us at SJE. It is a day to give thanks to God for calling and sustaining our three wonderful priests of God. We are honored to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Ordination of Fr. John Patrick Reily, C.S.C. and Most Rev. William Wack, C.S.C. and the 50th Anniversary of Ordination of Fr. John Murray. All Jubilees are acts of remembering: the first impulse that prompted us to say YES, the subsequent promises made, vows taken, lives lived, goals reached, the commitments of youth honored, the people who accompanied us and the people whom we have accompanied and above all for the faithfulness of our God. What a journey! What a realization that all these were made possible despite us. What a realization that we still need to keep being surprised by who Jesus is and will be and how the Spirit might lead us on. All praise and honor and glory be to our loving and faithful God the Father.
We give thanks to God for calling Fr. William Wack in the Congregation of Holy Cross to the Priesthood and furthermore for elevating him to the order of the Episcopate. Bishop Bill Wack was born and raised in South Bend, Indiana, as the second-youngest of ten children. He made his First Vows in the Congregation of Holy Cross on August 4, 1990 and his Perpetual Vows on August 28, 1993, and was ordained a priest on April 9, 1994. Since then, he has served in several ministries, such as Pastoring of our Holy Cross Administered Parishes and directing Vocations Office and Campus Ministry and Retreat Programs at the University of Notre Dame and Andre House, a House of Hospitality, serving the homeless and poor of Central Phoenix. On May 29, 2017, His Holiness, Pope Francis, named Wack as the sixth bishop of the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee. He was ordained and installed as bishop at the Pensacola Bay Center on August 22, 2017. The coat of arms and the episcopal shield he has chosen exemplify the heart and mission of Bp. Wack. His motto says: “Come. Follow me.” It beautifully captures Jesus’ demand to discipleship by leaving everything behind and following him.
We give thanks to God for calling Fr. John Patrick Riley to the Priesthood in the Congregation of Holy Cross. Although becoming a priest wasn’t the first choice for him, the possibility seemed to blossom once he graduated from high school, even as he considered marriage after a stint in the Army. It wasn’t until he realized priesthood was “a call from the heart” that he began his adventure with the Lord. Born in Lockport, New York, on February 2, 1957, Fr. John Patrick took his First Vows in the Congregation of Holy Cross on August 12, 1989, made his Perpetual Vows in 1993, and was ordained a priest on April 9, 1994. Much like St. Patrick, his namesake, he has missionary zeal and love for the people and the church. We thank him for his presence and service to our community here at SJE.
We give thanks to God for calling Fr. John Murray to the Priesthood and for sustaining him for the last 50 years. He was in one of the first groups of missionaries who dared to answer the call to serve in the erstwhile wild Florida region. Hailing from across the pond in County Kildare, Ireland, Father Murray attended the local parish as a child. With a religious background that included a mother who had inspired him to pray frequently to St. Jude, Father Murray knew from a young age that becoming a servant of the Lord was part of his future. Born in 1942, he was ordained in 1969 for the Diocese of Orlando. His very first assignment was on Merritt Island at Divine Mercy Parish. “I wanted to do something with my life that would make a difference,” he said, quickly noting that his answer may sound like a cliché. “But I feel that I have something to offer. I feel that I can still (50 years later) make that difference.” When asked which Scripture verse gives meaning to his ministry, he referred to Psalm 46:11, “Be still and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, exalted on the earth.”
On this 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, the call of Jesus couldn’t be far from the context of our celebrations. Jesus said categorically: “If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:26). Our three wonderful priests of God have done exactly that. They have left everything behind to follow Jesus. Thank You Lord for choosing these men to follow you. Continue to lead them on that they may be the true shepherds after your very loving and merciful heart.
Be Blessed!
Have a great week!
Love
Fr. John