In the Monteverde region of Costa Rica, in a village named Santa Helena, the community of Catholics welcomed their new pastor this past Sunday. Father Juan Carlos, a 40ish Tico has some big shoes to fill.
He replaces Father Oscar a rotund, jovial priest if there ever was one. Padre Oscar´s Masses are joyful, informal and ...long, with lots of singing. This is a routine reassignment of both priests, though I am not sure the people understand this much. They did welcome their new pastor with open arms, lining up at the end of the 9 am Mass to shake his hand. The greeting seemed genuine.
It was interesting to be a small part of this welcome. I stood in line, me --the only gringo in church--and offered my welcome as a tourist to this beautiful region of Costa Rica.
By the way, he preached very thoughtful homily reminding us that we all have a call from God. We each have our place in God´s great plan. But, we need to ask Our Lord for the grace to live up to that plan.
I can´t imagine P. Juan Carlos preparing this homily without reflecting on his own place in God´s plan as a new pastor in a new community, one he likely never thought he would shepherd. May God give him strength and happiness as he serves his flock.
He replaces Father Oscar a rotund, jovial priest if there ever was one. Padre Oscar´s Masses are joyful, informal and ...long, with lots of singing. This is a routine reassignment of both priests, though I am not sure the people understand this much. They did welcome their new pastor with open arms, lining up at the end of the 9 am Mass to shake his hand. The greeting seemed genuine.
It was interesting to be a small part of this welcome. I stood in line, me --the only gringo in church--and offered my welcome as a tourist to this beautiful region of Costa Rica.
By the way, he preached very thoughtful homily reminding us that we all have a call from God. We each have our place in God´s great plan. But, we need to ask Our Lord for the grace to live up to that plan.
I can´t imagine P. Juan Carlos preparing this homily without reflecting on his own place in God´s plan as a new pastor in a new community, one he likely never thought he would shepherd. May God give him strength and happiness as he serves his flock.
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