Today is the feast of the Annunciation of Our Lord to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
It is also the 18th anniversary of my ordination to the priesthood.

I have a photograph on my wall taken that evening, showing the retired bishop who presided standing beside the three new priests. I look at myself, chasuble-clad for the first time, with my "serious" face on. I honestly don't remember what I was thinking at that moment.

It's been an interesting time as a priest -- lots of joy, lots of pain, lots of work. Would I do it again? Absolutely! Of course, there are things that I would like to do over, but you don't get that luxury anywhere. I believe that by God's grace I have learned from my experience, and that for the most part I have been an effective and faithful priest.

I continue to pray daily for the grace to discern my calling, and for the strength to follow it.