I just returned from the 61st Annual Ordinandi Dinner where I and my two classmates were the guests of honor for being recently ordained. During the evening, the Bishop asked us to say a few words. One of my classmates talked about his experience of anointing a lady who was dying. That got me to thinking about the people who I have anointed since becoming a priest.
One anointing sticks in my mind well. Although it was after the surgery, I anointed a woman who was 102 years young. She was so grateful for my presence and prayer. I told her that even though she already had her surgery, we could pray for her continued healing. She liked that very much. She was a sweet woman, although she may have started to slip a little. (She repeated some information a few times in our conversation.) But I think that the experience of having someone so grateful for the opportunity to receive the sacrament was a gift in itself. That will be an experience that I will treasure for a while.
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I am looking forward to beginning my duties as a high school chaplain. It really won't take up too much of my time, but I think that I want to put some effort into it, outside of the set schedule that they've given me already. My first "official" act will be a week from Thursday when I celebrate the Mass for the Opening of the School Year. From then, I need to look at my schedule and try to figure out a few hours a week to simply be available to the students. Again, this is something that won't be too time consuming, but is something that I'm looking forward to.
Until then, enjoy the journey . . .
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