If you are reading this on Saturday,
it’s still August. Otherwise, it is
September now and, Labor Day festivities to the contrary notwithstanding, time
to get serious. Sigh; August is always
the stickiest page of my calendar. But
here’s some news you can use:
First of all, the boys are back in
town! Father McCabe and Father McDonell
returned in time to begin the fall semester at Catholic University, both of
them rested and ready, though neither seems terribly tanned. Yes, that IS Fr. McDonell – he just got his
hair cut. And grew a beard. No, he is NOT a fugitive from law enforcement
trying to disguise his identity. Like
most of us, you’ll know him when he opens his mouth. We know
our sheep, and our sheep know our
voice.
Secondly, we have been assigned
seminarian from Mount Saint Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, who will join us
about eighteen weekends between now and April.
Deacon Corey Krengiel is from the Diocese of Peoria (in Illinois) and
will be preaching, teaching, and baptizing here among us as he grows in grace,
and moves toward Ordination to the Holy Priesthood. I went up to the Mount to meet him this week,
and am confident you will enjoy having him with us. One thing that particularly delighted me was
to learn that one of the biggest influences in his vocation is a priest of
Peoria named Fr. Antonio Dittmer, who is a seminary classmate and old friend of
mine. Have no fear, the next generation
is here! How exciting.
You will hear more about Deacon
Krengiel, in his own words, in this space sometime in the coming weeks. Look for him at Mass next weekend!
Speaking of looking for people at
Mass, I look forward to seeing folks next
weekend when everyone returns from summer travels. But in the meantime, you may notice something
odd this weekend: you won’t see me at Mass. For the first time since mid-March – of 2012!
– I will not be here during the weekend.
It is rather a busman’s holiday, of
course, since I will be saying Sunday Mass in a big parish much like this one,
and celebrating a couple’s Golden Jubilee of marriage on Saturday. But the parish is the one where grew up, and since
the couple is my mom and dad, I think it won’t be too onerous.
Not returned from vacation yet is our
organ console. Much of the rewiring of
the pipes has been done for weeks, but the console rebuilding has taken rather
longer than planned. The good news is
that it will be rather more beautiful and versatile than was first
planned. Trust me; you’ll know when it is
back.
But we will hardly be returning to
the status quo ante. Richard Fitzgerald, our music director of
four years, has accepted an appointment as associate music director of the
Basilica of the National Shrine. It is a
more prestigious job at a more prestigious place, and will give him more work
to do, now that he has achieved his doctorate.
He and Msgr. Rossi, rector of the Basilica, are being very gracious in
giving us time to make the transition, and helpful in finding the right person
to take over our liturgical music program here.
They know it is one of the best, if not the best, parish music program in the metropolitan area, and we
look to build on all that goodness, of which Richard has been such a vital
part.
He will be with us for another
month. By then, fall will be in full
swing and so will all the other good things that happen here. For now, savor another burger and enjoy those
sandals for a few more days. Then all
together, let’s turn the page.
Monsignor Smith
