I find myself thinking of the words of Final Commendation at a funeral. I guess in some ways a priest leaving one parish for another is something like a funeral. Some cry out in anguish, “Good God!” while others might quietly say, “Thank God!” (That’s a joke…at least I hope! Did I just hear Fr. Wesly laugh?) At any rate, there is a sort of dying that takes place. The words of Final Commendation start out this way: “Trusting in God, we have prayed together for so and so, and now we come to the last farewell. There is sadness in parting, but we take comfort in the hope that one day we shall see so and so again and enjoy his/her friendship…” I was thinking of changing the wording slightly in light of the occasion. “Trusting in God, you and I have prayed together – and now on this weekend, we come to the last farewell. There is sadness in parting, but we take comfort in the hope that one day we shall see each other again and enjoy our friendship anew. Although we will disperse with a certain sorrow, the Mercy and Love of God will gather
us together again in the Joy of His Kingdom. Therefore let us console one another in the Faith of Jesus Christ.” It is all about Faith in Jesus Christ! It is all about your Faith and mine! In my five years at Saint Gabriel and two years at Saint Aloysius, it is this Faith of ours that stands out! In the midst of all that has taken place over these last couple of years, it is the Faith that remains and keeps us together always as One! I really could write a fascinating book – one that could be turned into a very popular TV “dramedy.”
All of you would be in it! I could talk about my own constant running around and driving around between nine different campuses not knowing how I “get it all done.” Yes, nine campuses! They were St. Gabe’s, St. Al’s, St. Al’s Parish School, PJP High School, Holy Trinity Church, plus three cemeteries, and St. Al’s rectory (it’s across Beech Street…technically off parish grounds!). There would certainly be stories about Fr. Wesly from his chiroptophobia (look that one up!) and exit down the fire escape to the pastor co-signing for “his son’s” first new car. Stories of painted churches and new sound systems would be included. There would be stories of vocations, vocations, and more vocations! I am oh so proud of our three Diocesan seminarians, two Neo- Catechumenate seminarians, and (soon, I hope, as of this writing) a permanent diaconate candidate. There would be the wonderful stories of many teenagers and young adults
becoming Catholic or completing their Sacraments. There would be stories of our faithful altar servers and the sometimes Sunday entertainment that they provide when something goes awry. There would be stories of homeless friends hanging around, principals provoking, business managers quietly (on rare occasions) being business managers, and believe it or not, nihilistic penguins! Ask this year’s Eight Grade
graduates about that! The story is that of a family…it’s the Family that you and I have become. It’s the Family that you and I will remain, even as I depart St. Gabe’s and St. Al’s. Therein lies our Hope and therein lies Our Faith! Thank you for these wonderful years together! I look forward to our meeting again now, in the future, and always in the Joy of God’s Kingdom!
Peace!
Fr. Wilson