I write this on Monday morning, September 18th, as Fr. Simon and I prepare to journey north to Flagstaff for the Priest Convocation. This is a special gathering of the priests of the Diocese of Phoenix with Bishop Dolan. It is a time of prayer, priestly fraternity and building stronger bonds in the common priesthood we share together.

In my 28 years plus as a priest, I have had the great privilege to live in six, now seven different priestly communities. It has been a true blessing in my journey to live, pray, and to break bread with these brother priests. Each has impacted my life in different ways. Even in my short time with Fr. Simon we have deepened our bond of charity in the Lord. His joy is contagious.

Like any family, it takes work and commitment, but the fruits of community and companionship help to strengthen us as individuals and also the parish and wider Church. We are called as brothers to serve and to share the Good News of God’s saving love not in isolation but together. We are blessed to be sent to parishes to live among the people of God and to journey together in holiness.

While on sabbatical, I also intentionally visited Ars, France—the parish of Saint John Vianney, patron of parish priests. I wanted to specifically ask for his intercessions for myself as pastor, to pray for all of you as faithful disciples and draw closer to the mystery of God’s love for parish life.

One story goes that Saint John was making his first journey to Ars, a small village in the French country side. He was a bit lost with no Google map on a cell phone. He encountered a young boy as he was walking and said to him, “ young man, show me the way to Ars and I will show you the way to heaven.” I took the time to walk out into the countryside to find the spot that marks the place of this encounter. What an honor to stand in that place where this Saint stood on his journey. I pray that our encounters are the same—that we help each other to deepen our love for Jesus.

As diocesan priest we are primarily called to serve in parishes and work together with the people of God to be witnesses of His grace, mercy and kindness in the communities we live.

Please pray for priests and be assured of our daily prayers for you.

Saint John Vianney pray for us…

Peace and Joy in Jesus,

Fr. Fred

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