From the Desk of Father Nathan

“The greatest gift God can give to a family is a priestly or religious vocation. A vocation born in a family is God’s blessing to that family, a joy to the parish, and a grace to the whole community.”

The quote above is often attributed to St. John Bosco, and I have always felt it speaks the truth about my own family.

Growing up, I heard my grandparents praying the Rosary every morning around 4:30 a.m. We also heard the morning and evening prayers broadcast from our parish church each day at 5:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

My father often told me that he hoped to see me become a priest. My mother attended the 5:30 a.m. Mass every single day and never missed it. When I called home from the United States during my evenings—which was morning in India—there were times she would not answer because she was at church. Later she would simply say, “Don’t you know I will be at the church?” God and the Church meant everything to her.

In the same way, she made sure that every priest who served our parish was well cared for. Whenever a priest needed anything, she encouraged me to help in whatever way I could. When she prepared a special meal, the priest and those most in need were always served first. Only afterward would the rest of us eat.

Some of my mother’s favorite sayings were:

• “When we give, we will never run out; God will fill us with abundance.”

• “Through food, we can make someone happy and content.”

• “God is the giver; we are called to be sharers.”

She always reminded us never to be selfish but to live for others. Serving others, she believed, is the path to true happiness.

My mother was a woman who constantly reached out to others. She loved God, the Church, and her priests. She was also wonderfully straightforward and a strict disciplinarian. Now she has gone home to God.

May God bless her. I will miss her terribly, but I know she will continue to watch over us as another guardian angel.

I have been deeply touched by your phone calls, messages, prayers, and words of comfort. Thank you. They have meant more to me than I can express.

Every day, many of you have checked on me to see how I am doing and have encouraged me as I navigate this emotional time. Your kindness has been a tremendous source of strength.

I have also received many calls from our diocesan priests and thoughtful messages from the Archbishop and diocesan administration. Their support has been a great comfort, and I am sincerely grateful.

Thank you all for your prayers, your love, and your continued support.

May God bless each of you.