As you read this message, I’d still be attending the retreat with Bishop Barber and the rest for the junior clergy of the Diocese. The week has been grace-filled: praying together especially the Eucharist, catching up after not seeing each other for many months due to to the pandemic, and enjoying each other’s company in an atmosphere of solidarity and brotherhoo

Joining us here at the very serene Vallombrosa Retreat Center in Menlo Park are Bishop Chad Zielinski of the Diocese of Fairbanks, Alaska and Father Vincent Lampert of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.

This retreat comes at a time when I really need to personally hear the message that as priests, we are “in persona Christi”: it is impossible to be fruitful in our vocations without a constant, loving relationship with Christ. This relationship with Him keeps aflame the burning desire in our heart every time we administer the Sacraments, visit the sick and imprisoned, engage parishioners in conversations, run around with kids at school, sit down for ice cream or chocolate cake with friends. Everything a priest does must reflect Christ, and we must radiate the joy of the priesthood!

Yes, there will be challenges, trials and uncertainties along the way, but at the end of the day, we are reminded that the core of our vocation is to love – and God who is love, leads us by the hand because our priesthood is not ours, but His.

Sono semipro grate,
Father Erick

(For 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time)