Eucharistic Sacrifice and the Priestly Vocation AND Turning 40

My silence of late is not due to my getting bored with writing here. I have simply been very busy. Today I led an SSC Quiet Day and gave a paper on the Eucharist as Sacrifice and the shape this brings to priestly life and the disposition we are to cultivate as we share in the love of Christ who offered himself on the cross when we offer that very same offering to the Father in Mass. After the paper we had some discussion and then went over to the church for exposition followed by benediction. We ate a light lunch of soup, bread and cheese followed by a bit more discussion that ended close to 4 pm. At 6 pm I went to church and had the evening office followed by Mass and Stations of the Cross (I did not stay for the Stations this evening since the parish priest along with a retired assistant curate were leading tonight.)

This weekend is going to be very busy. Tomorrow I am going to listen to some lectures on liturgy and mission in the morning and THEN my fun begins. On Sunday I turn 40 years old!!!!! At 3 pm on Saturday I have to go to the Durham Cathedral as my wife has hired a professional photographer to make up a picture album of me in my suit and vestments at different places around the Cathedral. I am to pack a suitcase as I am staying at some mystery location immediately following the photography. On Sunday morning I am the celebrant followed by an afternoon of birthday events as well. This should be a really good weekend and I am thankful that the Lord has given me 40 years of healthy life. I will return with some more substantive material shortly. I will arrange a portion of my paper given today as a post fairly soon.