I just came back home from Fr. David Bechill's First Mass at St. Catherine of Alexandria Church in Algonac. I first met Fr. David there at St. Catherine's 10 years ago. But Fr. David remembered me by name and greeting me: "Pio!" as he imparted to my his first blessing. He was ordained yesterday at the Cathedral; and now was saying his first Mass for his parents. He presented loving gifts to both of them after Mass to show his appreciation for the life they gave him. He gave his dear mom the cloth that wiped his chrism from his hand at his ordination the day before. He gave his dad a priestly stole. He told us that his mom and dad modeled for him the true Christian life. He said, "Without them I would not be". These words of appreciation were not only to his parents but to Jesus, as well, who made David into a Brand New Priest which gives flesh and blood to St. Paul's words to the Corinthians:
"So if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the MINISTRY of reconciliation; that is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their respasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconcilitaion to us. So we are AMBASSADORS for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God."
Fr. David is the minister of reconciliation and ambassador for Christ. He is a humble servant full of gratitude and devotion - which is the very core of Fr. David's being. After Mass at St. Catherine's he would stay for 2 hours praying. He was just in his teens; but his devotion to Christ was that of an older man. Now, Jesus who cannot be done in generosity, is repaying him with the Holy Priesthood. Fr. Broderick - who was his mentor and good example for following Christ's call to be totally Jesus' as His priest - gave the homily and said that the 7 Sacraments were the visible signs of the Father's special love for us. The the most important is the His gift of Holy Orders which brings the Eucharist: "Holy Orders was the way God shows how much He loves us...and that Fr. David answered that call to Holy Orders generously."
As I parted, Fr. David not only gave me his blessing but a spiritual hug that reminded me of the closeness of Bishop Timorthy of Ephesus with St. Paul. The spiritual sonship and fatherhood in the priesthood is a marvelous thing - almost a sacrament - because Jesus is there showing His love between the priest and his flock.
Lord, give long, long life to Fr. David...and even give him the fullness of the Priesthood by making him a bishop one day. Like St. Timothy, he would do well in and with and for this august office. Bless him, Lord, and let his love for his flock be Your Love for Your sheep. Let his spiriutal hugs to the people of God be in his words, his administering the Sacraments and his ministry to all of us! All this we ask in Jesus Name through Mary's special protection of Fr. David..now and forever. Bless his mom and dad now and always, too. Amen.
Love, Pio
Beautiful post, thanks for sharing! We've gotten to know Father David from his visits to Holy Rosary in Cedar, Michigan. My wife and children and some other members of the parish were able to travel downstate to see his ordination. We're very excited for Father David as he embarks on his priesthood.
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