“Are there any who are sick among you? Let them send for the priests of the Church, and let the priests pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord.” These words from the Rite of Anointing of the Sick are based on the Letter of Saint James. They are our assurance that the Lord desires to accompany and heal us in our weakness and infirmities. He does this in a very particular way through the ministry of his priests.
This historic pandemic has impacted our society, our Church and our families in countless ways. We have been brought face-to-face with our weakness and mortality.
Last week, we lost one of our permanent deacons to COVID-19. Deacon Clyde Grover, a faithful husband, father and minister of Christ had the consolation during his final hours of being anointed by his own son, Father Danny Grover. Like so many other priests in so many situations, Father Grover was called upon in someone’s hour of need. He brought Christ’s comfort and grace. In this instance he brought Christ to his own father. What a poignant encounter that must have been!
During this pandemic, many have come to realize how easily we take our priests for granted. Perhaps we were taking it for granted that they would always be there to offer Mass for us and bring us the Eucharist, until we went months without Mass and Holy Communion. We took for granted that they would be there to absolve and anoint us until, in many cases, it was not possible for them to reach us because of the pandemic.
We can be so quick to criticize and complain about our priests, forgetting they are ordinary men who have been called from ordinary families and parishes. I have been very proud of the creativity and dedication of so many of our priests during these months. Many have been truly heroic! God has called these ordinary men to an extraordinary life and mission. They bring Jesus to us and bring us to Jesus. Where would we be without them? They need our prayers, our encouragement and our support.
This year, as we prepare for our annual Seminarian Education Appeal, I encourage you to take an attitude of gratitude. During this extraordinary time please join me in thanking God for our priests and the young men who God is calling to be the next generation of priests who will care for his flock.
Currently, we have 25 men in seminary formation! God still is calling men to share in the ministry of Christ as his priests. Our investment of prayer, encouragement and financial support will help secure a future in which there always will be priests to bring Jesus to us, and to bring us to Jesus.