My first week...

It was a busy and intense learning experience this week. I apologize to my readers for not blogging during the week, but I knew this first week or two would be nearly all consuming of my time. Now that I am settled in, however, I expect to begin blogging three to four times a week again.

This first week was fantastic, but also somewhat overwhelming. Since Fr. Frank and I are the only two priests, simply administering the sacraments is time consuming. However, I absolutely love being able to celebrate Mass with the PoP community daily, hearing dozens of confessions each week, anointing the sick of our parish, baptizing and witnessing weddings. I have had the chance to anoint a number of people already, including visiting Villa St. Francis retirement home on Thursday to anoint the residents. It is so humbling to see the faces of these people light up as I anoint their head with holy oil and spend a few moments with them. It's indescribable.

Tomorrow, I will baptize 5 children for the first time at PoP. We have around 300 baptisms a year, so 4 to 6 baptisms each Sunday is pretty much the norm. It will give me a chance to celebrate the beginning of the Christian life of these children and to be there for the final years of the life for the sick and elderly. What a way to spend my days here at PoP. Until next time...God bless.

posted by: crossman at 08:57 | link | comments |
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