AMERICAN MEMORIAL DAY, SACRAMENTO DIOCESAN ERECTION DAY, PRIESTS JUBILARIAN DAY, HAS A FOURTH SIGNIFICANCE FOR ME............

On this Memorial Day holiday in the United States we remember and commemorate the 2.5 million American citizens n our history who have laid down their lives as military members in the time of war and in the cause of peace; in acknowledgement and appreciation of their service. Todaym is also the 126th Anniversary of the erection (creation) of the Diocese of Sacramento on May 28, 1886.  I t is also the occasion of our annual Priests' Jubilarian Dinner, for those priests celebrating the 25th, 40th, 50th, and 60th, Anniversaries of their Ordination to the Priesthood of Jesus Christ.  As a silver jubilarian I was one of tonight's honorees.  Reverend Father Benedict graciously and fraternally, provided me a ride to and from the jubilarian dinner, which was held in the recently dedicated St. Mel Parish Center in Fair Oaks.  It was also ten years ago today, that I was diagnosed with diabetes.  A decade later I am grateful to God for preserving my life and for the perseverance to continue in carrying out my priestly vocation in ordained ministry, despite the hardship and obstacles I have had tom endure.  To my brother priests and circle of friends and faithful parishioners, whose support and affirmation continue to sustain me, especially now while I am sidelined and striving to resume doing what I am confident the Lord Jesus Christ wants me do, the sooner I am allowed to return to active ministry and parish life the better.  For as I said again tonight, I have no intention of retiring now at age 55, when priests, especially native born, locally grown vocations are needed more than ever............Fr.  Troy