Seeing more clearly

     One week ago at this time I was preparing with the Faith Community of Our Lady of Grace Church in Greensburg to enter into the most beautiful liturgy of the Church Year and celebrate the Easter Vigil.  It was the culmination of my first Holy Week as a retired priest, and it was both enjoyable and rewarding as well as being a bit bittersweet.   The beauty rested in not having the worries and anxiety of making sure that ceremonies went well, but also the reward of being able to join prayerfully with the People of God (although I missed presiding at these liturgies.

     Holy Week began for me as I joined with Father Jim Morley and the people of the Church of Saint Paul in Greensburg for Palm Sunday. 

     On Thursday the Diocese celebrated the Chrism Mass at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral to a packed house.  My plans on attending were stymied by an upset stomach, but the reports of this powerful and beautiful liturgy were uplifting.  This special Mass celebrating Church and the blessing of new Holy Oils for the parishes with the renewal of priestly commitment has seen "good times" and "bad times".  I remember a period of time when they brought over the children from the Cathedral school just to "fill in" the pews.  More recent years have seen a real increased in attendance, and this year there was "standing room only".  This was one of the very few times in my forty-five years ordained that I missed this liturgy, and it was my loss.

     Thursday evening our small community of retired priests gathered in our chapel at the Neumann House for the Mass of the Lord's Supper, followed by a social and then a festive dinner, our way of celebrating the gift of our priesthood.  We were joined by the brother of one of our men, Father Al Pleban, a retired priest of the Diocese of Youngstown who lives in the area.  Father Leo Pleban was delightful company.

     On Good Friday afternoon I returned to Saint Paul for the Liturgy of the Lord's Passion, then traveled to Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton for a delicious fish dinner with friends, before returning to Saint Paul for Tenebrae.   This was the place that I first experienced this great tradition when I arrived here as pastor in 1992.  I have celebrated this moving time of prayer every year since.

     Then, as I mentioned, I joined Father Dan Blout and the parish family at OLG for a joyous Vigil, where five individuals were received into full communion with the Church and Confirmed.  A beautifully decorated Church, tremendous choir and music, good liturgy, and deep faith made this a wonderful experience.

     I joined our community of retired men for the Easter morning Mass in our chapel, followed by an Easter brunch provided by our kitchen staff.

     That was my Holy Week.  As always, in celebrating well with the People of God, my vision of the truth and power of the Gospel message is made clearer, and I am blessed.  I am grateful to the Lord and to my sisters and brothers who shared these moments with me.

     Seeing more clearly took on new meaning on Tuesday of this week as I had the first of my two cataract surgeries.  Tuesday was my left eye, and on the 17th will be my right eye.  Surgery went well, and it is remarkable how much more clearly my vision has become.   I now understand how the blind man that Jesus cured felt, when his healing was in stages.  I see better, but I am not yet there.  But isn't that what our life is, our journey - a process.

     I hope that your Easter was great, and that this Mercy Sunday will help you see clearly the love and mercy that the Lord has for you.  Happy Easter!