Fifty Years of Priesthood, Fifty Years of Grace
There have been quite a few happenings recently focusing on priesthood in our Diocese of Raleigh. As you will read in this month’s cover story, the Diocese recently celebrated the Ordination of Father Romen Acero and Father Michael Spurr. And there are 19 young men in preparation for the priesthood in the seminary. We must pray that the number increases.
I am also aware that several of our priests have celebrated or will soon celebrate jubilees, including Msgr. Sherba, Fr. Saxon, Fr. Busicchio, Msgr. O’Connor, Fr. Tom Davis, and Fr. Smith, O.P., our Vicar for Priests. In December Msgr. Moeslein and I will celebrate our 50th Jubilees.
These almost fifty years have been for me a time of wonderful, grace-filled ministry. Also they have been a time of challenge. I grew up in the “Old Church.” Six years later the so-called “New Church” was born. The Church, however, is always the Church: always old, always new, faithful and true to her mandate to proclaim the Gospel, celebrate the sacraments and teach the Catholic Faith.
For me it has been a time of joy. Holy Mass, Baptisms, instructing new Catholics in the faith, spiritual counseling, celebrating the corporal and spiritual works of mercy -- all these give meaning and peace and challenge to priestly ministry. The presence of a parochial school in most of my assignments has also been a grace and a joy.
And I was happy and fortunate to have consecrated religious women with whom to share ministry.
At times there was sorrow. Sorrow caused by people who would not accept God’s word or the teachings of the Church. People who did not want my ministry because of the color of my skin. In the midst of this sorrow, however, was the joy in knowing that the majority of my people were faithful Catholics, and that the majority of my parishioners accepted me with love and welcomed my ministry.
I look forward to continued priestly ministry as long as the Lord gives me life.
- Msgr. Thomas P. Hadden