The priest whom we seek (Hans Urs von Balthasar)

Happy Anniversary, Fr. Pat!

    [The priest whom I seek] knows how to break open God’s Word and interpret it… Spiritual men are those who have experience in the Holy Spirit and who, from this experience, are able to recognize the hidden, unrecognized, and unliberated spirit in us, in me, and enkindle it. How rare these spiritual men have become! … The spiritual man must allow the unique Spirit to work through him, so that he can meet the need of this unique individual who stands before him.  Not through the exercise of mediumistic powers, but opened to the grace of the living God, who in freedom speaks to me his Word of Love, kindly and firm – through the priest whom I seek.

--Hans Urs von Balthasar,

The Priest Whom I Seek

in Priestly Spirituality

Wishing you every blessing on this, 

the anniversary of your ordination, Fr. Pat!  

We are so very grateful for your vocation 

and for the many gifts you bring daily 

to our community, one of the most beautiful 
being your impeccable preaching, 

which moves our hearts every time. 

You are the priest we all seek,  
and a true blessing to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel!

Image source: Fr. Pat preaching at the Advent Reconciliation Service, December 2014,   
https://www.facebook.com/mountcarmelmv/photos/a.624563794271713/632976770097082/?type=3&theater