January 19, 2025

Reflecting on my childhood, having grown up in the 80s and 90s, I recall seeing commercials for the United States Postal Service. These vignettes, making use of the over-the-top drama prevalent at the time, boldly proclaimed, as we sat and watched a mailman struggle to march on against a tremendous headwind, that “neither rain, nor sleet, nor snow, nor hail shall keep the postmen from their appointed rounds.” This unofficial motto of the USPS was inspirational to a young boy who thought it would be cool, even brave, to be a mailman. That boy grew up, eventually, and, in a season of aimlessness before committing to the seminary, applied for the post office. The desire to be a mailman did not pan out, but the intention of dedicating my life to a worthy cause is evident in a diocesan priest’s vocation. Boys and young men need examples of bravery and commitment to spark the drive for self-sacrifice that is often lacking in men today.   

In a recent gathering of priests, there was a certain bewilderment in the air about the kind of men stepping forward to enter the seminary. Comments about fake nostalgia and misunderstanding the real life of diocesan priests filled the room. In an attempt to add to the conversation, I remarked that it has been said that “a young person will not give his or her life for a question mark. A young person will give their life for an exclamation point.” I have since realized that Cardinal Dolan first spoke these words. This musing was met with blank stairs and “What does that even mean?” I do think the Church needs a lesson in what the Cardinal meant.

I write this looking out a window upon a scene blanketed with snow. Life has been complicated these past weeks by a snowstorm that has affected much of the nation. This snow, not surprisingly, has brought about extended school cancelations. In typical fashion, this has also prompted many announcements that Mass has been canceled at several of our local parishes. ‘Safety first’ we exclaim over and over as adults and children alike read those words: Mass Canceled – yet the mail runs on. 

‘Mass Canceled’ quickly reminds me of our Covid days. Days filled with aimlessly waiting to be allowed to gather again. Days when we as priests of Jesus Christ were told that not visiting the sick would be best. Those days when ministry felt like being a traffic cop monitoring distance, and masks. I studied for years, and gave my life, to be a spiritual first responder. Instead, we were stuck writing parking tickets. That’s alright, the employees at the hardware store, the liquor store, the local abortion facility – they were essential. When we were finally allowed public Mass, the local Catholic newspaper ran an article “Safety is a priority as churches reopen.” Is the priority safety, or is it liability? Is it supposed to be something else? 

In a short while the Universal Church will celebrate 2,000 years since the great Pentecost event! 2,000 years of often half-hearted attempts to preach Christ crucified. The day before that Glorious descent of the Holy Spirit you may have heard talk in that room of safety and liability. Not the day after, not that day.

Two Parishes, One Heart

Fr. Adam