Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Rite of Enrollment and “Rite of Passage”

This past weekend was the celebration of Pentecost in the Church. Here at Good Shepherd our last Mass included the Rite of Enrollment for the candidates for next year’s Sacrament of Confirmation. Both were firsts for me as a priest: first Pentecost and first Rite of Enrollment.

A few days ago I went through a “rite” myself. For the first time in my very very young life I purchased a new vehicle. I will not tell you exactly what kind I bought, but suffice to say that I’ll now be officially the most envied priest of the diocese (only kidding). I will share the color: Black, Pearl-Ash Gray! Nice! This was quite an experience. I drew out a lesson in retrospect. I didn’t get out of that place with four wheels and engine without, first, spilling plenty of sweat and tears, but also, committing with my voice and by stroke of my pen the intention toward that vehicle. What a passage..and I’m glad it’s passed!

I think of this now in light of all our Sacred Liturgies which are a holy interplay between the Lord’s gifts of our human words and gestures and His divine grace. The Rite of Enrollment was quite edifying because it entailed the candidate’s word of intention to properly prepare by prayer, study, and witness combined with their concrete sign of that intention by giving their signature. I hope this year of preparation will be blessed for them especially in realizing that who they will receive at Confirmation will be much more valuable that what I’m driving and worth every word, signature, drop of sweat and tears.

Father Will Ganci

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

What a Joy!

"What a Joy!" has been on my mind this past week. One might ask, "Joy during Lent?" At first glance it seems to be out of place, but in reality it has become the heart of my Lenten journey.

At the vigil mass of Palm (Passion) Sunday, when I was reading the words of Christ as we recounted his passion, I truly felt joy. I experienced great joy for the gift of life and love that Christ bestowed upon his people by allowing himself to die to save us. How powerful a role to play in the liturgy? It was in speaking the words of the Last Supper, that the words of institution in our Eucharistic Prayer took a new life in me.

Just yesterday at the Chrism mass, seeing our beloved Bishop John celebrate the Eucharist with his fellow priests, deacons, and lay ministers truly brought joy to my heart. What a Joy to see our Diocese together in prayer and worship. As I renewed my promises of ordination that I made less than a year ago, I felt a renewal of strength and vision.

Today, as look forward to my first Triduum, that is first Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Vigil as priest, I expect nothing less than what God has in store for me and his people. I cannot wait to participate in the Mass of Lord's Supper and to wash the feet of the people I serve. I look forward to participating in Christ's saving act of love on the cross. I yearn to celebrate the resurrection by welcoming new members to our Church.

Although I mourn with my parish over the tragic death of a dear parishioner, who served as a teacher for over 30 years. Although it pains me to see those whom I consider my family to be in pain. I have joy that in Christ's life, death, and resurrection we have been saved. The joy that I feel is not of giddiness or passing pleasure, but the consolation that Christ is among us ever especially when we share in his suffering.

Monday, March 22, 2010

March Madness Priest Style

College Basketball’s March Madness is well underway. Unfortunately FSU dropped in the 1st round to Gonzaga, but this parish priest, in his first year during the Year for Priests, is still standing…barely. Round by round:

1. Red Mass—It was a great honor to invoke the Holy Spirit’s guidance upon our State’s government with the bishops of the province of Florida, minus one regretfully. Our own Bp. Ricard who continues to recover from the effects of a stroke before Christmas was absent. What a powerful expression of the Church at prayer.
2. MOGS St. Patrick’s Day Dinner—The Men of Good Shepherd (MOGS) host outstanding meals several times a year. The latest was in honor of St. Patrick. I enjoyed the finest of Irish cuisine together with, I confess, one and .5 Guinesses..I didn’t give up alcohol completely for Lent..and lots of exciting music, singing, and dance. Fr. Foley was in his element. So was I since I’m a ¼ Irish, but full-blooded on St. Patrick’s. Together with this giant of Church history I place the breastplate upon me and shout, “Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ on my left, Christ on my right…!!!”
3. JPII’s South Woodstock—what a fantastic event to support a great Catholic High School. There was art, music, food, and games. Young and old, clergy, religious, laity, in-towners and out-of-towners basking in the beauty of God’s spring re-creation on the campus of JPII w/o the muddy mess of the Northern version some years ago!
4. Golf FORE Life—Open Door Women’s Clinic here in Tallahassee is a Catholic Pro-Life Women’s Health Clinic specializing in unplanned/crisis pregnancies. Together with one of our parishioners this past weekend I solicited sponsorships for my “Guarantee of Victory” round for their annual golf event. If you want to be part of this Victory please contact me at Good Shepherd!
5. Another 1st Mass: Spanish—In seminary we worshipped in Spanish frequently, but I’ve gotten rusty with the passing months. Just when I thought Spanish was something of the past I GOT THE CALL! Todavia todos los fieles son vivos despues de la disastre. The Lord is kind and merciful.
6. And Holy Week IS STILL To Come!—Let me give you a sneak preview…The Lord wins at the end of March Madness every time! Let’s allow Him to hoist the trophies of our resurrected hearts to the Father.

*The sports theme is dedicated to Deacon (soon-to-be Father) Chris LeBlanc who is a dedicated reader of his “senior” priests’ blogs.

Father Will Ganci