Exiit qui seminar - Congratulations Reverend Steven James Bertonazzi

As we celebrate the last feast of the Easter season, Pentecost, the birthday of the Church, we as a family of faith rejoice that one of our own, our brother Steven Bertonazzi, is ordained a priest of Jesus Christ. It seemed only yesterday (my first year as pastor) that Steven finally "took the plunge" and entered the seminary. Now, our local Church rejoices with two new priests, Fathers Bertonazzi and Santa Teresa. It is only fitting that this is happening during the weekend of Pentecost because the priesthood is integral to the sacramental life of the Church herself. It is through the priesthood that the grace of the sacraments flows out into our community and the whole world. As St. Jean Marie Vianney, patron saint of parish priests writes: 

“Were we to fully realize what a priest is on earth, we would die: not of fright, but of love… Without the priest, the passion and death of our Lord would be of no avail. It is the priest who continues the work of redemption on earth… What use would be a house filled with gold, were there no one to open its door? The priest holds the key to the treasures of heaven: it is he who opens the door: he is the steward of the good Lord; the administrator of his goods … Leave a parish for twenty years without a priest, and they will end by worshiping the beasts there … The priest is not a priest for himself, he is a priest for you.” 

I am fully convinced that Fr. Steven Bertonazzi, our native son, will be that type of priest. Pray for him every day because we are a Church of poor sinners and the priesthood, in all of its strength through Christ, one true High Priest, is placed upon fragile instruments. And that, too, is the gift. For if the plan of salvation can be worked through the weakness of humanity, then truly nothing is impossible for God and the glory of His Church! As a parish community, let us pray that the indwelling of the Holy Spirit will remain forever with Reverend Steven James Bertonazzi and that his priestly service brings many souls to Christ! Congratulations and ad multos annos !