It's not Chinese New Year; it's the Year of the Priest

Pope Benedict XVI has declared the Year of the Priest commencing June 19th. This coincides with the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. And to help commemorate this special year, the Pope gives us the figure of that great Catholic priest, St. John Vianney, the Cure' of Ars, to focus on the priesthood. 2009 is the 150th anniversary of the death of the beloved St. John Vianney who loved his ministry and was especially known for his devotion to confession.

The year of the Priest is an opportunity for all Catholics to reflect on the gift of the Priesthood and the individual ministries of those men who pastor your church parish, teach in our schools and seminaries and work to promote God's Church. Priests have many responsibilities these days and lots of demands are placed on them. In addition to presiding at Mass, they faithfully hear confessions, anoint the sick, prepare couples for marriage, meet with couples to preserve marriages and so much more. They run schools, administrate the day to day operations of a parish and need to be a spiritual jack of all trades!

In this special year that begins tommorrow, reflect on all your parish Priest does in service to the Body of Christ. And do not be afraid to thank them for all they do or do something special to let them know how much we cherish their vocation. And speaking about vocations, pray for more laborers for the harvest and support your closest seminary. Encourage the young men in your life to consider the Priestood as an option. Speak boldly in support of the Catholic Priethood as a life long vocation that bears good fruit.

I wish to thank my Pastor, Fr. Robert Cavalier for his faithful witness and untiring devotion to his vocation. And I'm thankful for the gift of Fr. Raymond Guillot to our parish family. He brings enthusiasm to his call to serve both our parish and the students at Archbishop Hannan High School. And to all the Priests who have made a difference in my life, from the Marists of Algiers, the Salesians of Archbishop Shaw and the Benedictines of St. Joseph Seminary and Abbey. I also want to thank all the Priests who supported my discernment and formation, elping me toward ordination and to our outgoing Archbishop Hughes for his dedicated service to the Archdiocese of New Orleans.

May this gift of the Year of the Priest bring great blessings to the universal church and blessings in all our lives. May it bring forth new vocations and a renewed sense of reverance for the mysteries of our faith.