Six Months at St. Francis

I am really amazed that I have this job as vicar of St. Francis. Why no one else jumped at the chance to come to this great church in this great university town is utterly beyond me. This parish has an extremely dedicated core membership; we have a gorgeous historic stone building; and we are almost across the street from VA Tech. The students are great. It is so exciting to hear about what they study, and how they are doing in school and growing as people and Christians in this most important time in their lives. It is an extremely humbling experience to be their minister and priest... an awesome responsibility and privilege. I remember when I was in college how important my churches were to me, and how the clergy helped me grow and mature on so many levels - especially the spiritual level. Now I am that clergyman.

We've been here near to six months now, and things are going well. The pledges have more than doubled over last year's; attendance is up (10 new people and counting since coming here in August); and we have more student members than anyone can remember in recent memory. We get visitors very regularly, and a number have stayed. I leave the church open with beautiful music playing during my office hours for people to come in and pray and notice that the literature which I leave in the back is being taken (and hopefully read)! This is all because of the grace of God. There is still much work to do. I pray every day for God to help us be a healthy parish; to send us visitors; to send us families; to send us leaders - people who want to get involved and start things; and to send us a full time organist/music minister. And God answers. If we pray to Him, and ask Him to do something to glorify His Holy Name and the Catholic faith then He does answer. I have seen it with my own eyes.

Please pray for us at St. Francis that we would be a beacon for the Catholic faith in Blacksburg and beyond. Pray for me that I would be a godly priest, a good husband to my wife, and a good leader for those whom God sends us.