Even priests need a shepherd
Cardinal Gregory is coming to OLVP next weekend! He will be here to celebrate the 11 am Mass and then bless the Stations of the Cross, Grotto, and Prayer Garden outside. One of the coolest parts will be if he uses a golf cart (generously loaned to us by parishioners) to bless all the Stations and sprinkle them with holy water. He is excited to come here because two weeks ago at the Labor Day cookout for all the bishops and priests of the Archdiocese of Washington, he came right up to me and said enthusiastically, “I’ll see you at your parish in a few weeks”. Given his busy schedule day to day and as many parishes as he visits, it is impressive that he had the awareness of his visit here and that he identified me as the pastor (out of 140 pastors). It’s a sign that he loves Visitation parish!
When we met two years ago for him to name me as pastor, he raved about our parish and the people here. He had just been here to celebrate Mass and Father Ray’s retirement. Then he said something I have not forgotten: “you are the luckiest man on earth”. It confirmed what was already in my heart, that I am extremely fortunate and blessed to be the pastor at OLVP. But, what an endorsement of our parish from the Archbishop! At that time (and now), I also realized that this is a desired assignment for many pastors. My brother priests remind me regularly how blessed I am because of the area, grounds, people, families, young history, potential, and Mary of Nazareth school.
Cardinal Gregory stepped into a challenging situation when he became our Archbishop a few years ago. Immediately, a big priority for him was the priests of Washington. He called multiple sessions of discussion to hear from us and to get to know us. He has probably visited all of us at least once and maybe more in our parishes. He has played golf with us and had fun with us. He has been a spiritual father to us. Even priests need a shepherd! My biggest takeaway from our brief meeting two years ago and the thing for which I will always be grateful to Cardinal Gregory was how fatherly he was to me.
