PRIESTHOOD SUNDAY USA 2013 : AFFIRMING AND APPRECIATING OUR ORDAINED SERVANT LEADERS.............

Since the uncovering of the sexual abuse scandal in the Catholic Church, committed by some members of the clergy and religious orders in both the United States and other countries around the World, far too many honorable priests and religious have been unjustly tarred by the sins of a lesser number of malevolents.  Repeatedly, even during the intensity of the scandals during the past eleven years, parishioners in virtually every diocese in the USA have affirmed and expressed gratitude for the faithful ministry of their own parish priests.  In that light American Catholics established an annual observance during the past decade, known as, "Priesthood Sunday".  Priesthood Sunday USA is being celebrated in parishes and other parochial communities, as an opportunity for the laity to affirm and appreciate the ordained priests who minister to and with them by serving and leading the Catholic-Christian Community.  To that end, I decided to fore go the private Mass I have celebrated most Sundays of the nineteen and a half months in Mercy McMahon Terrace and rolled myself across the street and up the ramp into Sacred Heart Church, where I concelebrated the 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Masses with Father Vincent Juan.  As always, our Pastor Monsignor Walton, Father Juan, and the parishioners of SacHeart I interacted with were warmly welcoming and inclusive of my presence and participation.  Their fellowship and hospitality extended into the Parish Hall, where 'Schola Cantorum', the 11 a.m. Mass Choir were honoring 17 year choir member Tim Robinson, who is retiring from Schola.  It rounded out my two Mass morning there and I am grateful to Parish Music Ministry Director, Dr. Don Kendrick, for inviting me to the Reception following Mass.  As each of our Catholic communities celebrates Sunday Eucharist, may yours mark this Priesthood Sunday 2013, in some significant way, to thank and recognize the priests who minister to you and your families today and every day.  Thanks ! and Ad Multos Annos my brother priests.............Fr.  Troy David