Father David’s Quinceañero
Last night we gathered to celebrate Fr. David’s fifteen years of priestly ministry. His request was to have a simple parish gathering, with a few additional family and friends. We had a late start, due to the beginning of nearby bridge repair, but the pews slowly filled for what we knew would be a bittersweet celebration.
When John Deinhart and I began plans for this anniversary celebration, we did not know that Fr. David would be leaving St. Thomas as pastor. Seven years is enough time to build some great memories and even before the announcement of his new assignment it seemed appropriate to take time to give thanks for all he has done for the parish community here. Deacon Jose Rivera said it well last night when he noted that it was appropriate to celebrate at this particular time of the liturgical year.
He reminded us,
“We are between the celebrations of the Ascension and Pentecost. We remember the time in the early church when Christ had ascended into heaven, but had not yet sent the Holy Spirit. Seven years ago we were without a pastor. We were like sheep without a shepherd, huddling together, broken, hurting and in fear. God sent Fr. David to us so that we would have a pastor who would become our good shepherd.”
I have been blessed to spend my last year with the people of St. Thomas and even more blessed to have been asked to follow Fr. David as pastor. What should not be forgotten is how God’s grace is never absent to those who seek it. Deacon Jose is absolutely right. As I spoke to Fr. David shortly after he was asked to come to St. Thomas, he was not sure that he had the gifts needed to serve the parish well. He would be entering a community with deep wounds still present from the recent removal of their pastor due to sexual misconduct. He would need to take on the challenge of completing a large building project that was already underway and he saw the need to bring a bilingual community into greater unity.
Fr. David was right on target when he said there were significant challenges ahead, but wrong in his thinking that he did not have the gifts that were needed to heal a broken community. The gifts necessary were not only his own gifts, but those present in the community itself. Their combined gifts have transformed St. Thomas into a community that is vibrant and growing and continues to center around compassion and hospitality.
Last night I gave thanks for my friend David and for the beautiful parish community he has shepherded for these past seven years. May we continue to grow in our love for the Lord and for one another.
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