We got some sad news this week: Father Tom, the wonderful priest who married us and baptized Olivia, is retiring abruptly. He has thyroid cancer and will have his voice box removed at the end of the month, ending his career.
I missed my San Francisco church deeply when I was in CT and was thrilled that Olivia could have her christening performed by Father Tom. I really couldn't see it happening anywhere else. And without Father Tom I never would have gotten married in a Catholic church; it would have been too out of alignment for us.
Our little church is stressing hard about this news. We are a unique community, one that is not easily duplicated. We will be dwelling in ambiguity for a few months as a new priest will not arrive on a permanent basis until July.
The interesting thing in all this is noting Father Tom's response to his situation. He is showing a remarkable calm and grace. His homily today was replaced by his very cogent, unselfpitying yet funny, breaking of the news. Since it was the second week of Easter he ran around later in the service sprinkling us with water, wearing a joyful cheeky smile. We all commented amongst ourselves that, if any of us confronts a similar fate, we don't believe we'd do so with his equanimity. I have come unglued with less harsh news. I feel very fortunate to have his thoughtful, heartful example.
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