This clear, sunny Wednesday morning at nine, my daughter, my sis-in-law, my wife and I attended a daily Mass at Church of Resurrection, one of the four clustered parishes in Hampton Roads that our outgoing Parochial Vicar, Rev. Fr. Jarek serves. As I understand, this will be the last Mass that he'll officiate or celebrate with us, parishioners, prior to leaving Hampton Roads for an assignment as the new or incoming Pastor of St. Jude Church in the City of Radford starting July, this year. To my knowledge, he did celebrate a Farewell Mass yesterday at 6:30 pm at Resurrection and followed by a Pot Luck Reception. (My wife and my daughter participated. I didn't go with them, although I should have. But it was my choice not to go. Reason? I don't know but I don't feel like going or being there. Not that I am anti-social. Or, am I? I don't think so.)
Anyway, I learned from the two last night, once they arrived home, that a lot of parishioners were there and that there were plenty of food, too. Lots of fond memories, felicitations, and greetings of thanks shared among those present including our pastor, Rev Fr. David who concelebrated the Mass. My wife mentioned that Fr. Jarek's Mom was there, too. I also learned that Fr. Jarek and a number of friends and fellow parishioners of St. Paul's were asking about or looking for me. I know, I disappointed them. But I don't know if God may have already a plan for me that afternoon because, unknowingly, I didn't expect a friend and former neighbor James to show up in my backyard to do some yard work yesterday afternoon at around 5:30 pm. (I thought he was trespassing when I saw him walking so freely in our backyard with his pruning and cutting stuff. Therefore, I followed him. I didn't know or was unaware, or it may have slipped from my memory, that my wife and he had talks about him doing some yard work.) I did try to help him though. I did offer him some food to eat, and give his pay check, too. Before he left, I thanked him for doing those yard work for us.
Now, going back to this morning's happenings at Resurrection, with Fr. Jarek. After the Mass, we bid farewell to him, had pictures taken, with his Mom, and wished him the best and a safe trip to Radford. Definitely, we'll miss him! I know, he's such a down-to-earth person/priest, easy to get along with and well-loved by all parishioners he serves. Thank you, Almighty Lord, God our Father, and Jesus Christ His Son, for having sent Fr. Jarek as our parochial vicar for a year. With such a hectic schedule, he and we didn't have the opportunity to have brunch with his Mom. (I brought this idea up to him when I got a chance to talk to him. He said sorry, for he and his Mom will be leaving for Radford this afternoon and he hasn't finished packing up his stuff.) More pictures taken and some hugs, too. At that time, Jim, one of our active parishioners of St. Paul's invited us to say/pray the rosary with his wife and some friends who were already sitting in a small room next to the chapel. But of course, we couldn't refuse and so we joined them. By that time, Fr. Jarek and his Mom have left the church building, I assumed. Fr. Jarek, God bless you always!
Well, afterwards, we left the church building with a feeling of joy, and sadness at the same time. I thanked God for the opportunity to have known Fr. Jarek and met his Mom. (She's such a sweet, and always smiling, Mom. Thank you Lord, and Jesus, for this Mom for bringing and caring for Fr. Jarek to become a devoted and faithful/loving Man of God!) Someday, hopefully, before summer ends, we'll be able to visit Fr. Jarek in his new parish in Radford.
Lunchtime came. My wife, my sis-in-law, my daughter, and I decided to have lunch at a seafood restaurant. I thanked my sis-in-law for paying for our lunch. After an hour, we drove all around northern part of Hampton Roads, per my wife's wish or desire. We stopped by at Huntington Beach-Park. Then, on to Buckroe Beach and to a former Army military base. Quite a relief and invigorating, as far as I'm concerned, to pass by areas where land and water meet. I feel lucky and contented with what I have seen and witnessed this summer of 2012. I'm glad and thankful to be alive still. Thank you, God, for the nice weather we have today! Thank you, Lord, for all the blessings you've given us! Thank you, Jesus, for being in our midst all the time!
This is all for now. Until next time around. Thank you, everyone. And may God bless us always! Take care and have a safe summer, everyone!-chris a. quilpa, 27June2012
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