I have been known to joke, when a seminarian arrives, that he is our summertime indentured servant. It is awkwardly funny because the element of truth is that they are sent to work. A part of their formation to the holy priesthood is to be configured to Our Lord’s serving heart. “The priesthood is the love of the Heart of Jesus,” said St. John Vianney, today’s saint of the day!

But this summer, we were blessed with the ministry and service of Deacon Tim Banach. Wow. This may be the easiest seminarian review I have ever given. My review for the diocese will be something like, “ordain this man to the priesthood ASAP!!!” He has served with generosity, flexibility, and preached with enthusiasm, clarity and precision. I have been asked if I could make my homilies shorter like his!! Fill in your cliche about old tigers and new stripes.

So thank you Deacon Tim! We wish you well, and thank you for your service to the people of Fredericksburg! If parishioners are reading this before the 10:30 or 12:30 Masses, then thank him after Mass. If you are reading it later in the day, then say a prayer for him, as he is on his way back to seminary. We are blessed, that he will be back in the parish at Christmastime and Holy Week!!

I will also point out the Deacon Dick Delio, one of our parish permanent deacons, is moving to Charlottesville soon! We are sad to see him go, but know that the Lord will bless the next phase of his life. HIs last Sunday Mass served will be the 10:30 am Mass in two weeks (August 18).

Finally, say a prayer for Deacon Alberto! In September, he will be the only deacon in the parish! So more work for him! We do have two men in formation, and another four discerning if the Lord may be calling them to the ministry of the permanent diaconate.

A good deacon is a great help. We have been blessed. Thanks to each of our good deacons, they are a great help to parish.

pax,

Father John Mosimann