Priest Jubilee Celebration

     Every year in the month of June, our diocese celebrates with those priests who are marking significant milestones in ministry.  Some might say that we embrace any opportunity for a party, but this celebration is always a great time of fellowship and gratitude for the years of priestly service.   We gather around the table of the Lord for Eucharist, and then share a social time followed by a great dinner.  The celebration takes place at the Bishop Connare Center in Greensburg.
     Yesterday the vast majority of our priests gathered to celebrate with Bishop Malesic and the following jubilarians (which this year included myself):  celebrating 55 years ... Father Tom Lukac; 50 years ... Benedictine Father Mario Fulgenzi, OSB and our own Father James Petrovsky; 45 years ... Monsignors Paul Fitzmaurice and Roger Statnick and Fathers Peter Peretti and myself; 40 years ... Fathers James Bump and Lawrence Manchas; and 25 years ... Benedictine Fathers Ananias Buccicone, Daniel O'Keefe and John Mary Tompkins as well as our own Fathers Anthony Carbone, Arnel Estrella, Bill Kiel and Dave Nazimek.   These men have given 590 years of service since their ordinations!  And they continue to reflect the love that the Lord has for all of his people.

from the left: Fathers Lawrence Manchas, Roger Statnick, Paul Fitzmaurice, Peter Peretti, Len Stoviak, Bishop Malesic, Jim Petrovsky, Arnel Estrella, Dave Nazimek, James Bump and Anthony Carbone

     On our ordination day, we stood at the altar and looked to the future with rose colored glasses.  These many years later, faced with the challenges of life and the sinfulness of our human condition, we see things more clearly.  What we see is this: at the beginning we sought to bring the joy of the gospel and the love of God to people who were experiencing the cross and blessings through love and joy ... and in this present moment we find that our crosses are easier to bear because of those who over the years have brought joy and love into our lives, enriching and blessing us in awesome ways.  For that we are most grateful.  For you, we are most grateful.
     To all of our jubilarians, and to all who presently share priestly ministry or who have done so in years past, peace and God's blessings.  Ad multos annos ... For many more years!