I can’t believe it’s been 25 years since I was ordained to the priesthood and celebrated my first Mass!  A lot of events, honors, talks, Masses, confessions, anointing, classroom teaching, vocation work, being an associate pastor and a pastor—you can pack many goings-on in 25 years.

It is a joy to celebrate this day with the people of St. Joseph in Richmond.  This is a great church, with wonderful people who have helped to nourish my priesthood in so many beautiful ways!  So, thank you for all your prayers and support, encouragements and counsel.  Let us continue to meet each other in prayer, building the Kingdom together for the salvation of our souls.  Getting to Heaven is our purpose in life.  We should never forget this most important truth!

I don’t know what the future holds.  Only God knows such things.  It has been a privilege to be your priest, your pastor.  The Lord called me many years ago to serve Him at His Holy Altar.  These past 25 years have been a challenge in so many ways.  However, the blessings far out weigh any doubts or uncertainties.  I am so blest in being allowed to be a priest.  I take this calling seriously.  I love being a priest!

Thank you to all who have helped in small and big ways to make this day so beautiful and memorable.  More thanks to come!  God bless St. Joseph and all those who have played a part in this great journey:  Family, Friends and Faithful—What a blessed life.  Thank you all!