To one of closest friends, my Priest, spiritual consultant, and that KICK IN THE PANTS WHEN I NEED IT; well, you get the idea.
Father Richard joyfully celebrated 25 years in the Priesthood today! Due to circumstances, AKA the Coronavirus, many were unable to attend in person to help in the celebration; including me. But thanks to technology, we were blessed enough to watch live from the computer; which would be the next best thing to being there personally. Father, it's great to see you’re doing well and officiating the mass, and as always it was awesome to hear your laughter and joy; CONGRATULATIONS!
The picture shown with this blog is Father, Jeff, and I when we celebrated our 20th Wedding Anniversary at our house just last June. Jeff and I were honored that you were able to join us, and I definitely thank God, because, well, as we know; He makes all of the decisions (another well taught lesson from you that I have to keep working on). It was a long time in coming, but we finally got you to our home; which at that point, was your second visit. I know I told you before, but you have become family over the years.
I met you in July of 2011 when I began attending St. Rose in Hastings. Little did I know that you were about to become a huge presence in my life; when in just a few short months, on December 21, 2011, I would unexpectedly lose my dad. By then, we had gotten to know each other quite well, when I was taking the RCIA classes with you one on one, to become a member of the Catholic Church. You got me through a lot of pain and darkness with prayers and making certain that I didn't lose my faith by keeping me on the path to walking with Christ. To all who don’t understand this, it's the biggest leap of Faith, quite literally and spiritually. I thank God for sending me the Priest who I can always trust; as He knew I had severe issues with trust and faith.
Here we are, June 3, 2020, almost 9 years of an AWESOME FRIENDSHIP. While it's true we don't get together often, we know that we're both only a phone call away, especially now that Jeff and I must battle through his illness; that of which has also allowed you and Jeff to get to know each other.
Aside from the awesome friendship over the years, and being my Priest; you've become that Father figure for me. In looking back, I know this; we can really struggle with a lot of pain in the moment where we are begging for it to be over. But when we open our hearts, we see that we have made it through another minute, and then another day; that's when we remember too, there IS light after the darkness and hurt.
Thank you for the patience and understanding, thank you for being the least judgmental person I know; even when it’s the hardest not to judge, and you knowing that I still have tons of work to do on that. Thank you for teaching me to live by your example, by reminding me with die hard patience, “Thou shall not judge. And, most of all, thank you for not letting me lose my way. God Bless you, Father. Love and Blessings -
Amy
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