Fr. Matthew and my Visits to Gethsemani...

Many years ago, during my seminary days (when I was home) and when I was first ordained, I frequently attended the Sunday Compline and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament at the Trappist abbey of Gethsemani south of Bardstown. It's a very peaceful drive of about an hour south of Louisville. One of the monks, Fr. Matthew, would give a spiritual talk - always begun with a poem - after Compline ended in the chapel of the guest house. He was one of the best preachers I have ever heard; I stole many a homily idea from him. He died about a year ago at the age of 95. I recently came across some videos posted on YouTube of these talks and thought I'd share them here. They take me back...

Change of Assignment...

So the announcements have been made at the respective parishes this weekend and I can now speak publicly. Effective June 20th, I will be moving from St. Francis Xavier and All Saints to become pastor of St. Martin of Tours in Louisville. I will continue as Judicial Vicar and director of the Tribunal.

It's a two edged sword, really. With any change of assignment there are people and places left behind. Having only spent one year at St. Francis and All Saints, I hate to leave what are two wonderful parishes. In a very short time I came to feel at home here. That being said, being assigned to St. Martin's represents a sort of coming-full-circle for me. St. Martin's is the parish I attended for several years before entering seminary; it's the parish where I celebrated my first Mass; it's the parish I've assisted with the Extraordinary Form for many years. I know many wonderful people there. I'm excited to be able to return in a new role.

St. Martin's is known for many things, among them: perpetual Eucharistic adoration, a strong emphasis on the celebration of the liturgy in both the Ordinary and Extraordinary Forms, a great sacred music program, social outreach programs, and others. I'm excited to have the opportunity to be involved in all these parts of parish life.

So as these next couple months go by, I'll be enjoying the rest of my time in my current assignment while preparing for yet another move. Good thing I never got around to throwing out all those boxes I used last year to move home from Washington...

St. Martin of Tours:







Celebrating the Extraordinary Form at St. Martin's, October 2011:

Easter Vigil...

Here's a pic from the Easter Vigil a week ago here at St. Francis Xavier. Five were baptized, three received into full communion.