Vocations
diocesan priests
Priests of the Diocese of Arlington
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Rev. Msgr. John T. Cilinski, Ret.Former Pastor at St. John the Baptist, St. Philip, St. Ann, Our Lady of Angels and Rector of the Cathedral of St. Thomas More |
I was blessed with the sterling example of good priests in my formative years whether in word (such as one mystifying statement often repeat ‘Remember you have to remember to forget, and you have to forget to remember’) or in action (such as one who spent night after night with grieving parents at the bedside of a child who eventually died of a scooter accident).
The good done by the priests could be multiplied. When one particular priest died, suddenly at a comparatively young age, the thought struck me and frequently came to mind “who will take his place to continue the good he did?” The answer kept coming back, “What about you?” Despite attempts to put these thoughts aside and kind words from my parents, I was encouraged to give it a try. So off to the seminary I went and discovered the priesthood was God’s calling for me. Now, 57 years later, I can gratefully look back on the joys and happiness God has provided me in the priesthood.
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| Rev. William Saunders,
VF Pastor Our Lady of Hope Church Ordained May 12, 1984 |
Rev. John Cregan, VF Pastor Bl. Sacrament Church Ordained May 9, 1987 |
Rev. James Hudgins Parochial Vicar All Saints Church Ordained May 16, 1998 |
Rev. Edward Horkan Parochial Vicar Holy Spirit Church Ordained June 7, 2003 |
Thou Art A Priest Forever
To live in the midst of the world, without wishing its pleasures;
To be a member of each family, yet belonging to none;
To share all sufferings; to penetrate all secrets; to heal all
wounds;
To go from men to God and offer Him their Prayers;
To return from God to men; to bring pardon and hope;
To have a heart of fire for charity and a heart of bronze for
chastity;
To teach and to pardon, console and bless always--
What a glorious life! And it is yours, O Priest of Jesus Christ!
Author unknown