When I was in the seminary, we heard the story of two
monks who are taking time for recreation and playing a game of
pool. One of them asked the other, “What would you do if you
found out that Christ was coming back in fifteen minutes?” The
other responded, “I would finish this game.” We always took that
story to mean that whatever we are doing, we do it with an
attitude of prayer as something we offer to Christ. For most of
us, if we were in that position, we would probably think of our
unfinished business.
I know it’s not the same as the Second Coming, but I’m
starting to think more of the end of an era. With Labor Day this
week, I realize that the implementation of On Mission for the
Church Alive is coming much closer. I am getting ready for my
move to the South Hills, and Fathers Poecking, Morris and
Ruffalo are making plans to begin their time here at St. Malachy,
along with serving St. John of God and Holy Trinity. I can also
include Fr. Zajdel, who is already a part of St. John of God,
along with Deacon Tim Killmeyer, who is serving Holy Trinity.
Of course, this grouping will also include our retired priests, Fr.
Regis Ryan and Fr. Bob Herrmann, in This is where the story of the monks shooting pool comes in
handy for me. If Christ is returning, I hope I would say that
whatever I am doing is a way of serving Him. In this case, I
know that the work of Christ will continue. As long as the
Eucharist is here, the presence of Christ is more important than
whatever priests are here to bring Him to the people. So I realize
that my attention will be divided over the coming weeks. On one
hand I will be packing and preparing for a move. At the same
time, I will be trying to talk with the people out in the South
Hills to get an idea of what my schedule will be and how I will
carry out my new responsibilities. But in the meantime, I still
have to “finish this pool game.” I still love St. Malachy, and I
still am happy to be here. There will be more and more times
when someone may ask me something and I reply that the
answer will have to wait for Fr. Poecking and the others. But
over the next week, I am going to give myself to the service of
St. Malachy Parish. I know there will be things I will wish I
could have done more with, as has happened every time I have
been transferred. But when the time comes, I will walk away
from here knowing that the last four-and-a-half years have been a
time I will never forget. And while I will soon be rooting for the
St. Gabriel Gators, I will never forget what we have often said
here, “Once a Bomber, always a Bomber.”
Father H addition to our own Fr.
Russell. My thoughts, however, are centered on how quickly I
will have to say goodbye.
While I have not planned my upcoming columns, it is
possible that I will spend some time reflecting on these last fourand-a-half
years that I have been at St. Malachy. We are gearing
up for this change as the school year is starting, and it felt strange
to me this week to welcome the students back at a time when I
know I will not be teaching them on a weekly basis. It’s always a
thrill to see the students coming back and get used to them being
on a new level. Last year’s seventh graders are now our eighth
graders, the leaders of our school. But as I see them settling in, I
know I will not be part of their graduation. That reminds me that
I will be leaving with unfinished business in many ways. There
are quite a few things I would like to be here for, but I have to
hand them off to others.
This is where the story of the monks shooting pool comes in
handy for me. If Christ is returning, I hope I would say that
whatever I am doing is a way of serving Him. In this case, I
know that the work of Christ will continue. As long as the
Eucharist is here, the presence of Christ is more important than
whatever priests are here to bring Him to the people. So I realize
that my attention will be divided over the coming weeks. On one
hand I will be packing and preparing for a move. At the same
time, I will be trying to talk with the people out in the South
Hills to get an idea of what my schedule will be and how I will
carry out my new responsibilities. But in the meantime, I still
have to “finish this pool game.” I still love St. Malachy, and I
still am happy to be here. There will be more and more times
when someone may ask me something and I reply that the
answer will have to wait for Fr. Poecking and the others. But
over the next week, I am going to give myself to the service of
St. Malachy Parish. I know there will be things I will wish I
could have done more with, as has happened every time I have
been transferred. But when the time comes, I will walk away
from here knowing that the last four-and-a-half years have been a
time I will never forget. And while I will soon be rooting for the
St. Gabriel Gators, I will never forget what we have often said
here, “Once a Bomber, always a Bomber.”
Father H
