Comments on: The call of a newly ordained priest

By: teodora pereira

teodora pereira — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 22:35:04 +0000

Dear Cardinal O’Malley,

What a joy to see the first fruit of the Redemptoris Mater Archdiocesan Missionary House of Formation! Out of the ashes of another closed church there is hope once again! There is light once more! The spirit of the Holy Ghost lives on in the heart of Israel Rodriques. What a wonderful ceremony – I loved sharing his day and seeing his family’s elation and pride. The newest seminarians are destined to bring the church back into the light with the guidance of Father Medeiro. I thank God the future of our church is in the capable and passionate hands of leaders like you and Father Medeiros. Thank you. Sincerely, Teodora Pereira

By: Eileen Lanci

Eileen Lanci — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 22:13:53 +0000

Dear Cardinal O’Malley, I am visiting your blog for the first time and I am absolutely thrilled to see the work you are doing. As a Catholic who has been devastated by the sorrow of the U.S. Catholic church the last few years it is so heartening and exciting to be able to share the holy missions you undertake on a weekly basis.

I was deeply touched by your visit to the prison, but, I must admit the most joyful and hopeful piece was seeing the new priest. Israel Rodriguez looked so happy and serene starting out his journey. It is so important for the faithful to be able to see young men graduating the seminary and renewing the Catholic church. Seeing him on his most important day with the light of God in his eyes and so much promise in his heart is most gratifying. The ceremony looked fantastic and I enjoyed seeing him with his family looking on proudly. I am heartened by the thought that new priests will be coming out of that beautiful new seminary in the next few years. BRAVO! We need new blood to continue the work of Jesus. Thanks for allowing me to share in the gorgeous photos, the exciting work you are involved in and meeting the priests of tomorrow – the future of the Catholic church! Sincerely, Eileen Lanci

By: DEE

DEE — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 11:52:41 +0000

congrats fr. blaney upon your ordination to the priesthood.
all of us here in framingham will be praying for you in your new endeavor.

By: Br. Michael Anthony, Er.M.I., D.D., Ph.D.

Br. Michael Anthony, Er.M.I., D.D., Ph.D. — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 03:50:32 +0000

PAX!

Congratulations, Father Blaney, on your ordination. This prayer is for you and all who have heared the call and have entered the vocation of the priesthood.

Keep them, I pray Thee, dearest Lord,
Keep them, for they are Thine -
Thy priests whose lives burn out before
Thy consecrated shrine.
Keep them, for they are in the world.
Though from the world apart;
When earthly pleasures tempt, allure, -
Shelter them in Thy heart.

Keep them, and comfort them in hours
Of lonliness and pain,
When all their life of sacrifice
For souls seems but in vain.

Keep them, and O remember, Lord,
They have no one but Thee,
Yet they have only human hearts,
With human frailty.

Keep them as spotless as the Host,
That daily they caress;
Their every thought and word and deed,
Deign, dearest Lord, to bless.

Amen.

Marantha!

Br. Michael Anthony
Immaculate Heart of Mary’s Hermitage

By: Fr. Roberto Mena, S.T.

Fr. Roberto Mena, S.T. — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 20:55:43 +0000

Thank you to be a friend to inmates in prison. I also go to confess every week to the Juvenile Hall here in California.

In the Trinity:
FR. Roberto Mena, S.T.
http://www.parishworld.net

By: Ryszard Piekos

Ryszard Piekos — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 09:03:08 +0000

Dear Father Blaney,
May the Holy Ghost bless you in your service to our Holy Catholic Church.
R. Piekos
Gdansk, Poland

By: Fr. Paul Ring

Fr. Paul Ring — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 13:17:52 +0000

Dear Fr. Blaney,

How wonderful God is to use our gifts and talents to lead us where He needs us most. May He continue as you labor in the vineyard as one of His shepherds. My prayers are with you as you begin your priestly journey!

Ad Multos Annos,

Fr. Paul Ring, Pastor
Sacred Heart-St. James, Groton
St. Joseph, Pepperell

By: Michael Hallman

Michael Hallman — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 19:28:12 +0000

Father, congratulation, grace and peace of Christ Jesus be with you throughout your ministry! You will be a tremendous blessing to the Church, for sure. And you are very fortunate to work in a diocese that certainly needs Christ’s healing, and I am sure you will be used as an instrument towards that end. May Jesus and Mary reign over your heart! Peace!

By: Sandra Bolton

Sandra Bolton — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 19:16:23 +0000

Just finished reading your story Father Blaney. I do believe your next calling will be as a writer. It appears you are in the third phase of your being. You are a very talented guy with tremendous insight. Your soul searching was for a reason. It is true we never know why we are placed in certain, peculiar situations during our lives then all of a sudden it hits us. That’s why I was in that place in time to prepare me for the next phase of my life. Life is full of the unexpected. You were born into this world for very special reason. To date it has been quite a journey for you. You have brought a lot of enjoyment to a lot of people through your showbiz career and sharing your trials and tribulations is embraced. Your life will continue to be busy busy busy conveying the message of the Lord. You are his instrument in concert.
Best regards, Sandy, Bill and Tanya Lee

By: Ferde Rombola

Ferde Rombola — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 18:59:32 +0000

Dear Father Blaney,

Father Andreas Davison was assigned to our parish for the final period of your seminary studies. As a result we were privileged to be at the Cathedral for your ordination to the deaconate and to the priesthood.

Your life history coincides in several respects with ours. My wife and I were New York actors in the ’60s and 70s. God called us out of that life, too. Our daughter Elaine is a concert pianist (MM, N.E. Conservatory) and a teacher of 23 piano students.

Thank you for answering God’s call. I pray for you and your classmates each day. God Bless you.

By: Mark Jacobson

Mark Jacobson — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 14:30:25 +0000

Fr. Robert,

Thank you so much for responding to God’s call to the priesthood! May your ministry bear much eternal fruit and bring many, many souls to eternal salvation. In case you are interested in helping to implement the Holy Father’s Motu Proprio on the Mass of John XXIII, I would encourage you (and your interested friends and parishioners) to registe in the following database:
http://www.lumengentleman.com/motucontacts.asp

May the Lord and His Holy Mother bless you every time you offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass…

To Jesus Through Mary,
Mark

By: Joan L.

Joan L. — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 13:06:09 +0000

What an amazing story! I too have found myself (probably around the same age) tossing and turning in the sea of life without a rudder. Finally the trials were so great, that in my despair I turned to our Blessed Mother and said to her, “I don’t really know you, but I am giving this problem to you…and turning my life over to your care…” I immediately felt the embrace of a mother that I had never felt in my life! An intense prayer life followed (an continues) and I found myself for the first time in my life seeking God’s will for me and then asking for the grace to follow His will. Many blessings have come my way since…but I can identify with you on feeling very humbled by the whole experience. Often found myself asking, Why would you choose me Lord?

God bless you in your priesthood! I pray that you will lead your flock fearlessly, ultimately leading them to heaven.

By: Alice and Dan

Alice and Dan — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 00:44:40 +0000

Father Blaney,

You have been gifted by the Lord and your enthusiasm on your ordination day underscores your appreciation of that gift from the Lord. May He continue to bless you in your ministry.

Alice and Dan

By: Brad

Brad — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 18:27:10 +0000

Dear Father Bob, I am an accountant from New York that wants to thank you for sharing this very personal and inspirational storey of your life. What a great uplifting post. Wow! God is amazing! God Bless.

By: Caitlin L

Caitlin L — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 04:50:02 +0000

Thanks so much for sharing. It was so moving and honestly very helpful. It’s so great to know that you experienced so much and still gave your life to the Lord. I pray that God continues to bless you and your ministry in the Church!
Peace.

By: Nathan, Wichita KS

Nathan, Wichita KS — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 03:58:01 +0000

Father Robert, that’s a great story about how God called you to the priesthood. Thank you for answering that call, and I pray that plenty of other men will follow your footsteps and into the priesthood. God bestow on you countless blessings!

By: Craig

Craig — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 19:56:24 +0000

Fr. Robert,
What a great story your life has been so far! Many blessings on you and your fellow priests who were ordained on May 26th. Incidently that is the same date Padre Pio was baptized and the date Fr. Corapi was ordained by Pope John Paul II with Mother Theresa present at St. Peter’s. I was also born on that date and I am considering a vocation to the priesthood. Please pray for me and I will hold you and all of your brothers in prayer.
Peace.

By: DEE

DEE — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 03:46:54 +0000

THE GUGLIEMO FAMILY MUST BE JUMPING WITH JOY UP IN HEAVEN. KUDOS TO YOU FATHER BLANEY. YOUR FAMILY MUST BE VERY PROUD OF YOU. GOD WON OUT.

By: Christina

Christina — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 01:51:11 +0000

A wonderful story and a moving example of how those who are “of the world” in their occupations are called to their best and most blessed. Shows you have perfect pitch because you have very good hearing! I’m very glad for the fullness of your journey. Many blessings.

By: John

John — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 15:56:44 +0000

I tried to leave a comment earlier. but apparently it did not get through. I want you to know that a blogger I know only as “Jeff” has changed my life. I am not a Catholic, but his kindness and consideration will ALWAYS be appreciated by me, and indirectly by my wife, daughter and grandkids. I will never forget his kindness.

By: Rosemary Shaw

Rosemary Shaw — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 15:03:01 +0000

Congratulations, Father Blaney, on your ordination. What wonderful gifts you bring to the service of your parishioners! I am grateful to belong to a parish whose talented pastor shares his many gifts with us. Our liturgies are reverential, music beautiful and homilies thoughtful and well prepared. Not all parishes are as fortunate as we are. May God bless you in your work.
Rosemary

By: Jake

Jake — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 12:12:44 +0000

Praised be Jesus Christ! Now and Forever!!

Thank you for answering the call. The Church is blessed to have fine men like yourself.

Thank you for taking the time to share your experiences with us. Ad multos annos!

By: Judy

Judy — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 08:25:17 +0000

What a great and faith-filled story! Thanks so much for sharing it with us. And please pray for me as I try again and again to open myself fully to Christ. I will include you in my prayers.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 07:20:36 +0000

Father Robert,
Peace be with you!
Thank you for your inspiring story. Sometimes its so hard to believe that God talk and remind us of his call through our friends, the people we meet, or the blogs we read. I may have the same fear that you expereinced when you relaize that God is calling you and feeling that emptiness even to the fact that you have already made it to the top. Thank you again for sharing your story and your life. God bless you always and your ministry.

By: Ben

Ben — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 02:44:13 +0000

Congratulations and God bless you, Rev. Blaney.

Ben

By: jasper

jasper — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 02:14:44 +0000

Father Blaney,

After reading your story, the Catholic church is very lucky to have you as one of it’s priests. God-bless you.

By: Mary Cambridge

Mary Cambridge — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 23:53:32 +0000

Congratulations, Father! Ad multos annos! Great story of your life before the Holy priesthood. Perhaps someday you can play with/for the Holy Father. Do you play Mozart? I hear he’s a big fan!

I am always thrilled to read of new ordinations. I’m a long way from the Boston diocese (Wichita, KS), but we are all one Church. We had four ordinations to the priesthood this year in our diocese, and three ordinations to the transitional diaconate. God has blessed us all richly.

Once again, my heartfelt congratulations! May God bless you and keep you, Father. May He richly bless your ministry to His flock.