From Our Pastor: May Ordinations

In this month of May we normally have the ordination of priests in our diocese. Most of our priests have been ordained in May, usually Memorial Day weekend. So if you see any priest, ask them when they were ordained and where and by whom and how long! Take the chance to ask their vocation story of why they wanted to be a priest. Every story is unique and amazing!

This month Deacon Corey Bruns of the diocese of Owensboro Kentucky will be ordained a priest. Why do I share this with you? About to be Fr. Bruns is the grandson of Stan and Mary Musholt of our parish. His uncle was Franciscan priest, Fr. Silas Musholt, OFM. Fr. Bruns was born here in Quincy, but moved to Kentucky when he was very young. Such a beautiful connection to our parish! Although he didn't grow up in our parish, he surely has a deep connection from visiting his grandparents. So let's keep him in our prayers as he prepares for his priestly ordination this May 22. We will have the delight of hosting Fr. Bruns the weekend after his ordination for Masses of Thanksgiving May 30 at 9 and 11. What a joy!! So again pray for him and all those who will be ordained soon!

This past Wednesday the priests of our diocese gathered for our jubilee day. At this event we gather to celebrate all our anniversaries together since they are mostly around the same time. This year our oldest priest is Fr. Carl Schmidt who celebrates 71 years a priest this year! He is 95! Fr. Jim Neumann, who is from Quincy, celebrates 50 years!! Fr. Chris Comerford, who was pastor of Blessed Sacrament here, is celebrating 25 years. This year will be 7 years for me and Fr. David's first anniversary. Mary is the Mother of Priests and so how perfect to have this month of May for ordinations. Pray for priests!

Pray this prayer for priests everyday this week to learn a new Marian prayer:

Loving mother of the Redeemer,
gate of heaven, star of the sea,
assist your people who have fallen yet strive to rise again.
To the wonderment of nature you bore your Creator,
yet remained a virgin after as before.
You who received Gabriel's joyful greeting,
have pity on us poor sinners. Amen.

Rev. Steven Arisman