195 Years of Service to the Lord!
This year seems to be quite the year for celebrations, especially when it comes to ministry in the Church. This past Thursday, the AI community celebrated the 50th anniversaries of religious profession for Sister Carla Mae Streeter and Sister Pat Chaffee, both Racine Dominicans (although I think Pat’s anniversary was actually last year). Unbeknownst to most at the time, Thursday was also George Boudreau, O.P.’s Silver Jubilee as a priest (25 years). And today, we celebrated the 30th anniversary of Fr. Harry Byrne, O.P.’s ordination and the 40th anniversary of Fr. David Wright, O.P.’s ordination! That’s 195 years of service to the Lord and his Church if you add it all up! How cool! And, Fr. Tom McGonigle O.P., the current Director of the Center for Catholic and Dominican Studies at Providence College and former president of AI, also celebrates his 40th anniversary of ordination this year too (yep, he was in David’s class)! So many faithful men and women! It is people like these who inspire me and help me to believe that the Church is in good hands, despite all the difficulties. Yes, the Church is human and imperfect and sinful at times, but it is also graced and full of willing and dedicated servants of God. The Shepherd truly watches over his flock through men and women like these!