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“What earlier generations held as sacred, remains sacred and great for us too…” Pope Benedict XVI (7 July 2007)

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Views from the Choir Loft

Gratitude for Gifts

Fr. David Friel · July 28, 2012

This week brings two anniversaries for me. The first and more profound was yesterday, July 25th, which marked ten years since the death of one of my priest heroes.

Father John J. Davids served for 18 years as a curate in my home parish in Doylestown, PA. He had a deep impact on my childhood and adolescence. He possessed more than his share of virtues; he was indefatigably committed to the poor, a friend to the depressed and addicted, a jokester amongst his friends and coworkers, and a man of serious prayer and genuine love. I daresay that, without his example of happiness, humility, and holiness, I would never have had the courage (or perhaps even the inclination) to pursue the priesthood.

I had the opportunity to celebrate Mass with his chalice last month when I visited my home parish for the wedding of a childhood friend. It was an honor to use as a priest that particular chalice, which I brought to the altar so many times as an altar boy. I also offered the holy sacrifice for his soul yesterday, to commemorate the anniversary of his death. Both Masses were powerful moments for me.

The second anniversary I’m observing this week is also significant, albeit somewhat less heartfelt. One year ago today, I began blogging here on the Corpus Christi Watershed. It was the original idea and invitation of Jeffrey Ostrowski that brought this about, and I am very grateful for the ongoing opportunity to share my faith with any readers who travel this way.

In our initial conversations, Jeffrey expressed his desire to have a newly-ordained priest share his practical experiences of ministry. He wanted a youthful priest to make observations of his daily life and offer reflections upon the experiences of priesthood-in-action. I have tried to capture some of the highlights moments of my first year of priesthood, as well as some of the more mundane aspects. I hope I have not disappointed his expectations. This has been a blessed year―one filled with joys and struggles, beautiful moments and much variety. I can confidently say that I love the priesthood more now than I did the day of my ordination.

Were it not for the witness of Father John Davids, I may never have known the joy of priesthood; were it not for the opportunity to contribute this blog, I would have one less avenue to share that joy. So, for both these gifts, I am deeply grateful.

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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About Fr. David Friel

Ordained in 2011, Father Friel served as Parochial Vicar at Saint Anselm Church in Northeast Philly before earning a doctorate in liturgical theology at The Catholic University of America. He presently serves as Vocation Director for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and teaches liturgy at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary.—(Read full biography).

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Quick Thoughts

    PDF • “For General Use Until Advent”
    If you conduct a volunteer choir, you might consider using this Simple Piece #40273 (“Adésto Sáncta Trínitas”) which can be used during the rest of the liturgical season until Advent. It's based on the well known hymn tune: OLD HUNDREDTH. Rehearsal videos are available at #40691. A live recording of #40273 (“Adésto Sáncta Trínitas”) by a volunteer choir is here (#40065).
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Introit • (This Coming Sunday)
    Our volunteer choir appreciates training videos, so here's my attempt at recording “Exáudi Dómine Vocem Meam,” which is the INTROIT for this coming Sunday. This coming Sunday is Dominica Post Ascensionem (“Sunday after the feast of the Ascension”). It is sung according to the official rhythm of the Catholic Church.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Volunteer Choir Attempts “Kýrie Eléison”
    My volunteer choir attempted the polyphonic KYRIE that will be sung at this year's Sacred Music Symposium. If you're interested, you can listen to the live recording from last Sunday. The piece is based on the ancient plainchant hymn melody: Ave Maris Stella. Polyphony like this is truly intricate and wonderful. It reminds me of the quote by Artur Schnabel: “music that's greater than it can be performed.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

The Council of Trent taught: “In this divine sacrifice which takes place at Mass, the same Christ is present and is immolated in an unbloody manner, Who once on the Cross offered Himself in a bloody manner. For the victim is one and the same, now offering through the ministry of priests, Who then offered Himself on the Cross; only the manner of offering is different” (Session XXII, cap. 2, Denzinger, n. 940).

— Pope Pius XII (2 November 1954)

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