You are a Priest Forever...
Yesterday we had the blessing of having Fr. Philip Neri Reese, OP and Fr. Patrick Briscoe, OP stop by to say Mass on their way to St. Joseph Province's diaconate ordination. (As a side note, 8 friars are being ordained to the diaconate today, so make sure you keep them in your prayers!) Fr. Patrick, who is still in his first year as a priest was the main celebrant, and Fr. Philip Neri preached the homily. Our chaplain Fr. Gregory Salomone concelebrated. Fr. Philip Neri gave us a new twist on a familiar passage: "Unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and pharisees you will not enter the kingdom of heaven." After Mass, the sisters lined up in rank to receive Fr. Patrick's "first blessing."
We continued with our thanksgiving and the singing of Terce while the brothers enjoyed Sr. Maureen's delicious cooking. Afterwards we met in the parlor to visit before the brothers had to head back out on the road. Fr. Patrick received the "customary" handwoven/hand-embroidered confessional stole and we chatted about their ministries and future plans.
Just a reminder to all of friars in Fr. Patrick's ordaining class who haven't made it to the monastery yet: time's running out to come say a "first" Mass for us!
