To live in the midst of the world
without wishing its pleasures;
To be a member of each family,
yet belonging to none;
To share all suffering;
to penetrate all secrets;
To heal all wounds;
to go from men to God
and offer Him their prayers;
To return from God to men
to bring pardon and hope;
To have a heart of fire for Charity,
and a heart of bronze for Chastity
To teach and to pardon,
console and bless always.
My God, what a life;
and it is yours,
O priest of Jesus Christ.

This reflection by Fr. Jean-Baptiste Henri Lacordaire, OP (1802-1861), speaks to the unique role of the priest in the lives of God’s people. This weekend we pray Father David into the next parish family to which he has been called, and we do that with grateful hearts for his love for us.

One of the most difficult realities of priesthood is having to say goodbye to a parish family that has been such a gift to a priest. It is particularly tough to say goodbye to your first parish family! While we are happy for Father David because he is taking on the role of pastor, we acknowledge our sadness as he leaves our family of faith. The life of a priest is a life of service to God’s people, of blessing and sacrament, of obedience to his bishop, and going to where he is needed. If we reflect on the meaning of priesthood and the role of priests in the life of God’s people, it might make it easier for us to understand what God is asking of Father David and all of us at this moment.

Thank you, Father David, for being a good priest and loving us and blessing us. You will always be a part of our family of faith!