On Trinity Sunday we celebrate that even before anything was created, God, though one and only, all there is, is not solitary, much less lonely. Three distinct, co-equal divine persons of the One God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, enjoy Communion, perfect and mutual love and self-giving without end or beginning. That perfect love is not exclusive, but rather extensive: whereby God creates the universe, this world, and you and me, not because He needs us to exist but because He loves us to exist. Our response: Thank God!
In that spirit of gratitude, let me present to you our rectory. The Holy House of Soubirous is now a crowded house, in the best sense of the word. Father Novajosky absorbed most of May with me, one on one, and did some real heavy lifting. So of course he will run away for a few days this weekend, but will be here (mostly) through June and July.
Father Santandreu rolled in from Buffalo Monday evening, and he too will be here June and July, sharing with Father Novajosky the goal of completing the License in Canon Law. This summer they will have in addition to their courses, a thesis to write (each), and comprehensive examinations to pass. So if you see any clenched teeth, grim looks, or evidence of late nights, you will have a rare glimpse of evidence of what I have shared with you all along: these guys work hard on their school. Let’s hope that we all get to see evidence of deserved success and accomplishment come late July.
Meanwhile into this crucible of Canon Law study comes Father Gabriel Okafor. He arrived in the wee hours of last Saturday and powered through jet lag and disorientation to jump-start HIS program of Canon Law studies. The neat thing that you may not realize about his situation is that he is still a pastor of a parish, in Morro Bay, California, back in the Diocese of Monterrey. The summer coursework is billed as “intensive,” for him just like the other two, with two complete courses folded tightly into four weeks, then two more courses the next month. Then in August he will return to his parish, try to “catch up” on two months’ worth of pastoring, then continue through the year while simultaneously taking more courses in Canon Law “remotely.” We all know about remote learning now, don’t we?
So while you will want to get to know Father Gabriel, and you will want to spend time with Fathers Santandreu and Novajosky of whom you have grown so fond, do not be surprised if they have to pull back from some social possibilities. They are equally fond of you; they just have a lot to do.
Of course, I am fond of them too. So our little manifestation of the indwelling of the Holy Trinity is the communion of priestly fraternity in the rectory. Dinner together is a hoot. Listening to Frs. N & S hash out the lectures, professors, and requirements is an education in itself. Fr. Gabriel is unintimidated by his neophyte status, and shares stories from his life and parish in California, his ten years in the Philipines, and his life and family in Nigeria. I cook, and listen.
Of course, this convivium provides my only chance to slip away from the parish (just when it is the most fun to be here) so I will be gone for almost two weeks in June. But like the love of the Triune God, what goes out also comes back, and I look forward to rejoicing in their company and their learning when I return. August will be solitary, and though that has its upside, too, I am happy to share with you that after a month’s absence, Fr. Novajosky will return for further studies in the coming year. We make a good team, he and I, but I have not yet despaired of finding a third for our humble and holy dwelling, because everybody knows that the ideal of Communion is a Trinity.
Monsignor Smith
