This past week, I had the privilege of attending our annual Clergy Study Week in the historic and peaceful setting of San Juan Bautista. It was an energizing and uplifting experience, not only because of the beautiful surroundings, but more so because of the opportunity to reconnect with fellow priests from across the Diocese. We studied the Clifton StrengthsFinder and all took the test to discover our top strengths—how God has uniquely gifted each of us. We then broke into groups to learn how to build more effective teamwork, not only among ourselves as priests, but also to bring those insights back to our parishes. It was profoundly enlightening to hear brother priests share their talents, hopes, and vulnerabilities. These honest conversations renewed my hope that we can serve the Church better together—not by focusing on what’s lacking, but by lifting up what is strong.
We hope to bring this same spirit of collaboration to St. Simon, starting with our parish leadership team and staff, and eventually inviting parishioners to join us in this discovery process. Knowing each other’s strengths allows us to better support one another, grow our ministries, and live out the message of the Gospel more fully. All of our strengths and talents are gifts from God meant to be used in loving service to others.
During the study week, I was honored to preside at one of the Masses in celebration of my 25th anniversary of priesthood. Preaching to your peers is always daunting, but the Gospel this Sunday made it easier: “Love one another as I have loved you.” In my homily, I shared a mystical experience I had during my 30-day silent retreat many years ago, while meditating on the third week of the Spiritual Exercises—the passion of Jesus. I entered deeply into the Passion of Christ through imaginative prayer. I found myself in the praetorium after Jesus had been scourged—lying face down, alone, broken, and bleeding. I knelt beside Him and cried “Jesus. It is Brendan, I have come to be with you in your pain. What have they done to you, Jesus.” And I instinctively placed my hand on His back, only to cause Him more pain. He yelped in pain. Then he rolled over and looked at me squarely in the face and smiled generously through his broken and tortured body. Then I saw a small space above His heart—untouched, unscarred. I placed my hand there. He looked up and gently smiled. In that moment, He said to me:
“Brendan, in your ministry, when you reach out to help people,
don’t touch their wounds.
Search for the place they have no wounds and touch them there.
Because there, you will heal.”
That moment changed me forever as a priest. I have tried—imperfectly, but intentionally—to live that wisdom. We are all called to love one another not by poking at each other’s wounds, but by touching one another’s strengths. It’s so easy to fall into patterns—within our families, our communities, and yes, even among priests—of pointing out weaknesses or hurts. But Christ calls us to something more radical: to recognize and lift up the unscarred spaces in one another, the places where God’s grace still shines, our strengths where we can grow more.
This message aligns beautifully with the vision Pope Francis has shared throughout his twelve years as pope—a Church of accompaniment, mercy, and tenderness. And it’s the very message that our new Pope Leo is already reinforcing in his early calls to action. He urges us to love with boldness, to serve with joy, and to extend mercy especially to those who need it most.
It has been an honor these last 25 years to serve as a priest in our diocese, and especially here at St. Simon Parish and School these past five years. I feel I have received more than I have given for sure, but it is together that we build up the kingdom of God. It is loving each other past our wounds and weaknesses into integral whole selves accepting that we are both wounded and healed almost all the time. Yes, these years have been a pure gift. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
So, I invite you with all my heart to join me on Saturday, May 31, for a special Mass and reception in celebration of my 25th ordination anniversary. It’s not just a milestone for me—it’s a moment to give thanks to God for this parish, this community, and all of you. Please RSVP here.
This weekend, please join us for a Pancake Breakfast hosted by our Youth Ministry. Stop by Spooncer Hall after all the morning Masses on Sunday. Buy tickets here, or $5 cash at the door.
And looking ahead, I warmly encourage you to attend our upcoming parish-wide Bold Vision for the Future presentations on May 20 and May 27. As we mark 70 years as a parish and 65 years as a school, we’ll be sharing an exciting vision for the future—one rooted in the gifts of the past, and open to the work of the Holy Spirit in our present and future. St. Simon School remains a central part of our mission, and we will continue investing in it as a foundation of our parish’s vitality. Come hear more about how your own strengths can contribute to this vibrant vision.
Together, let’s build a Church where we touch not the wounds, but the places where grace is already at work.
God Bless,
Fr. Brendan