Today is June 30th and the Memorial of the First Roman Martyrs.\u00a0 While this memorial is an optional memorial, for the last seven years, it has held a particular significance for me.\u00a0 Before I get into why this memorial is personally significant to me, let say a few words about the First Roman Martyrs.<\/p>\n
In 64 AD, much of the city of Rome burned in a fire.\u00a0 The emperor blamed the Christians and had many of them killed.\u00a0 These Christians became the First Roman Martyrs. The evidence now shows that the emperor actually had part of his own palace set on fire to make room to build a much bigger palace. It was when that fire got out of control that much of the city burned. The Christians became a scapegoat for the emperor. Those Christians could have abandoned their faith or gone into exile. They did not.\u00a0 They had fast to their faith, our faith. For this they were executed. They are an incredible example\u00a0of faith for us.<\/p>\n
Now, as why this memorial is personally significant to me, seven years ago today I was ordained a priest of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester<\/a>. I remember when the date for the ordination was given to me I went and looked at the liturgical calendar and I wondered what significance lied in the date being the Memorial of the First Roman Martyrs. To add to this, after I was ordained, I felt that every time I turned around I\u00a0was celebrating daily Mass for various martyrs.<\/p>\n When I was ordained, I pledged my life in service to God.\u00a0 In promising to remain celibate, I was freely given up married life as a sacrifice to be more available to the people I serve. The martyrs literally gave their lives for Christ. I try to live priesthood in service and giving of myself for others.<\/p>\n It hasn’t always been easy.\u00a0 For instance I don’t like change but seven years have brought a lot of change.\u00a0 I have served in two different parishes with four different pastors before coming to Immaculate<\/a> as my third assignment and becoming pastor myself. I knew the first year at Immaculate<\/a> would be a time of transition for me in getting to know the\u00a0parish and in becoming a pastor.\u00a0 Well, I’ve just completed my second year as pastor, and I think\u00a0I can say the second year was\u00a0more challenging\u00a0than the first.\u00a0 The Pastoral Associate and Principal both retired so we\u00a0hired new people in these positions. That’s been a challenge but they are both doing a great job.\u00a0 We also got a new bishop.\u00a0 In January, our Finance Director departed and we have been looking for a new one ever since.\u00a0 We manage here because of a dedicated staff and some great volunteers who all retired with backgrounds in business. Last month our Cemetery Caretaker resigned and we just hired a new person there.\u00a0 So far so good.<\/p>\n There have been other changes with a new secretary and changes at the school.\u00a0 Collections are down. I work hard to\u00a0minister and proclaim the Truth. Without a doubt, it hasn’t been easy.\u00a0 I thank the staff and volunteers who have all been a vital part of life at Immaculate<\/a>.\u00a0 (I used\u00a0to try to blog at least once a week but except for posting my Sunday homilies I haven’t even close to it with all that has been going on.)<\/p>\n In the midst of this, I have to admit finding time to pray hasn’t been easy. Even when I do pray, it can be hard to pray well<\/em>.\u00a0 Yet, the one thing I can say for certain is that God has been present and a vital part of my life, ministry, and parish. How do I know this?\u00a0 Because there is no way things could be going as well as there are if God wasn’t helping out.\u00a0 Thanks be to God.<\/p>\n Peace,<\/p>\n Fr. Jeff<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Today is June 30th and the Memorial of the First Roman Martyrs.\u00a0 While this memorial is an optional memorial, for the last seven years, it has held a particular significance for me.\u00a0 Before I get into why this memorial is personally significant to me, let say a few words about the First Roman Martyrs. In …<\/p>\n