May 25, 2005 - 1 day until ordination

Wow!!! A moment in time that I thought would never get here arrived. We had the rehearsal for the ordination this evening at Ascension parish. Everything went well and we had an outstanding dinner after the practice.

I am staying at a motel in Ottawa. Many of my friends are with me here. With me is my friend Dan from Des Moines, Iowa who was a seminarian with me at Kenrick for 3 years. A friend from Conception Seminary, Chris, is here with us. Francis, who is another friend from Conception and now at Kenrick, is here. My friends Bob and Lani from Chicago are here. Bob was a seminarian with me at Conception as well. Finally, Deacon Ralph is here. I have mentioned Deacon Ralph before as he is the permanent deacon at Cathedral in St. Louis. He is the Deacon of the Word for the ordination tomorrow and also my deacon for the 1st Mass on Sunday.

I was reflecting on the Rite of Ordination to the Priesthood yesterday and in reading the prepared homily built into the rite I found a paragraph describing the responsibilities of the priest that really struck me. So, I close this evening with these words. I ask you to pray for me that tomorrow may be grace-filled and that by the power of the Holy Spirit I may fulfill these words:

When you baptize, you will bring men and women into the people of God. In the sacrament of penance, you will forgive sins in the name of Christ and the Church. With holy oil you will relieve and console the sick. You will celebrate the liturgy, and offer thanks and praise to God throughout the day, praying not only for the people of God but for the whole world. Remember that you are chosen from among God's people and appointed to act for them in relation to God. Do your part in the work Christ the Priest with genuine joy and love, and attend to the concerns of Christ before your own.

God is great...all the time. All the time...God is great. Please pray for me. Until tomorrow evening...God bless.

Deacon Chris Rossman
(the last time I will type that title)

posted by: crossman at 19:56 | link | comments |
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