I was blessed to celebrate Christmas with my family without too many pastoral commitments. On December 17th the news reached me that the new bishop for the diocese of Monterey had been appointed. Since then his installation date (when he takes the reins) has been announced: February 19th. I hope to meet with him soon after.
On January 1st I celebrated Mass for the faithful at Holy Trinity in Greenfield, then on January 5th I started a full time substitution at St. Patrick’s in Watsonville for the pastor the three months. I’m grateful to be working basically full time again, and also for having a fuller parish priest experience. Only about two weeks have passed, and you never know what to expect and when. We have our scheduled celebrations, sacraments, and meetings, but when people see a priest, they draw closer for prayers, blessings, encouragement, and advice.
Being back more regularly at a parish also means I’m back on an emergency call line for sick calls. As I write this, I’ve visited people in
Watsonville Community Hospital twice (two visits, three ailing people) and two homes. Situations I could have never imagined have crossed my office doorstep, and I have seen prayer, advice, and encouragement is what everyone needs. I’m also grateful the associate pastor (right now parish administrator) has helped me, since he has more parish experience than I do. I’m now busy again and it has been very beautiful and fulfilling. All the Masses are livestreamed, so if you want to see me in action, you can use this link.
On January 15th I celebrated the funeral and celebrated the life of my aunt and Godmother, Marie Maglich, who passed away on January 4th. As I was growing up, the Maglich family lived just down the street from me, and I can remember the times she baby sat for me, whole lamb barbeques at her home, and the last few years I would visit her in Chico. She passed with all the sacraments and at peace. I’ll never forget the perpetual twinkle in her eye, which she shared with her brothers and sisters, and her smile. Spavate slatko draga Teta Marija.