“Thank you for the gift of your sons,” Bishop Edward Malesic told members of the diocesan Parents of Priests who attended Mass in the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist on Palm Sunday, March 29.
After Mass, the bishop welcomed about 30 from the group in the cathedral rectory. They enjoyed refreshments and conversation, especially the opportunity to chat informally with the bishop.
He updated them on what’s going on across the diocese, including the 1,000 people who will be baptized or come into full communion with the Church at the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday, and the upcoming ordinations.
(See photo gallery above.)
“Spiritually, we have a lot going on,” Bishop Malesic said.
The group gathers several times a year at various parishes for Mass, coffee and donuts. Officers are Geoff Goodfellow, president; David Swinerton, vice president; Michael Cubera, treasurer and Michelle Kelly, secretary.
Parents of Priests is coordinated by the diocesan Vocation Office, which is directed by Father Eric Garris. Also visiting with the group were Father Don Oleksiak, vicar general and moderator of the curia, whose mother was in attendance, and Father Joe Mamich, cathedral pastor and diocesan vicar for clergy and religious
The organization gathers priests’ parents for mutual support, and in support of the vocation of their priest sons. They also promote the diocesan seminaries directly with moral and material support and indirectly by aiding the educational interests of the seminarians, as well as promoting vocations.
Membership is open to all residents of the diocese whose sons are priests, no matter where they serve,