Fr. Christian Huebner

 Last weekend, our own Dcn. Christian Huebner was ordained a priest! One of my favorite parts of the ceremony actually happens "behind the scenes" in the sacristy after the ordination. I'll fill you in on what happens "backstage." After the cross bearer who leads the procession enters the sacristy, he walks to the back turns around, and waits for the newly ordained to arrive. The priests who have followed the cross, then line the walls of the sacristy. There were so many priests that there were three rows of priests lining the walls! I started to worry that there were so many priests there would not be enough room for the newly ordained and the Archbishop to get in! Fortunately, there was just enough room. The newly ordained then process into the sacristy last surrounded by the enthusiastic applause of their priest brothers surrounding them as they face the cross that led them. For us priests who have been doing this a while, it is a reminder to us, that if we live our priesthood well, if we follow the cross, we too will receive that weight of glory as we enter into Heaven, surrounded by the applause of those we baptized, those we consoled in the confessional, those we helped in their marriages, those we anointed in the hospital. It can be tough to remember how good the end of the story is when we are in the middle of things but an ordination always reminds me what it will be like to see the love we sow here on earth blossom in Heaven.
It will be great to see Fr. Christian Huebner after the Masses this weekend to give his first blessings. If you are fortunate enough to attend the 5:30pm or the 9:30am Masses, you will get to see him celebrate the Eucharist! Let us all pray that his ministry be fruitful and joyful as he begins his duty as the parochial vicar nearby at St. Mary of the Mills in Laurel, MD!

God bless,
Fr. Scott