Extend warm welcome for our new diocesan priest Print E-mail
05/18/2008

This week, Deacon Kevin Muniz begins the final days of preparation for his ordination to the priesthood. During a solemn liturgy on Saturday, May 24, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield, Bishop George Lucas and the priests of the Springfield diocese will welcome their new brother priest to their ranks.

The ordination of a new priest is a milestone in the life of a diocese. At his ordination, a priest is configured to Christ, not for himself, but on behalf of the people of God whom he will serve. Through the mystery of this sacrament, the new priest will belong to each and every one of us in the 28 counties of this diocese.

Our new priest is no stranger to us. He is a native of this diocese and considers Ss. Peter and Paul in Collinsville his home parish. You can read his story in the pages of this issue of Catholic Times.

During his years as a seminarian, he has brought his energy and ministry to several parishes in our diocese, most recently at St. Mary in Edwardsville. In addition, Catholic Times readers will be familiar with Deacon Kevin as a regular contributor and columnist to CT and through his blog, The Heart of a Seminarian, at www.muniz.motime.com.

Through his columns and especially through the Internet, Deacon Kevin has reached out in a particular way to young people who may be wondering what God has in mind for their lives. He has shared his spiritual pilgrimage with us. He has written about his childhood and family life; told us about his growing awareness of God's call to the priesthood; and shared his love for Scripture and the church with us.

After his ordination this coming week, he will begin a new and exciting chapter in his life. Those of us who are not called to be priests can only imagine the awe and wonder when, for the first time, he takes bread and wine into his hands and, in persona Christi, says the ancient words that bring the Body and Blood of Christ to the eucharistic table.

We here at Catholic Times congratulate the new Father Muniz, and more importantly, we pledge our prayers and support to him as he begins his new ministry. We thank him, and all the priests of our diocese, for their dedication and service to the people of God.

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