BLESSINGS OF THE PRIESTHOOD:

Serving the People of God

Priesthood comes with many joys, and those joys become blessings for the people whom our priests are called to serve. This year we rejoice with three priests who mark particular milestones in their lives of service to God’s people. Father Wilmer Todd celebrates 60 years of priesthood; Father Thomas Kuriakose celebrates 40; and Father Rholando (Rholly) Grecia celebrates 25.

Father Todd is 84 years old and still actively exercises his priesthood in service as chaplain to St. Joseph Manor in Thibodaux. What does he love about being a priest? Celebrating the Church’s Liturgies—especially the Sacraments— and helping others to understand religion as a relationship. “I love the liturgy. I try to get the congregation involved in the greatest mystery in the world, the Pascal Mystery of Jesus’ death and resurrection,” says Father Todd, who strives to make liturgy both dynamic and meaningful so that people can apply the Gospel to their everyday lives. Priests have the opportunity to change people’s lives and, in doing so, change the world for the better.

“It is very rewarding for someone to come up to me after Mass and ask for a copy of my homily because it touched them in a very special way.” When reflecting on his love for the Sacraments of

Baptism, Marriage, Reconciliation, and Anointing of the Sick, Father Todd speaks of the great privilege he experiences walking with people through the high and low points of their lives. Father Todd strives to teach others that “Christianity does not mean knowing about Christ; it means knowing Christ.” He says he learned from a professor in one of his sabbaticals that “religion was all about relationships – the relationship of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the relationship we have with our God, our relationship with each other, and our relationship with our world.”

Father Thomas, who is currently pastor of St. Lawrence the Martyr Church in Kraemer, says his 40 years “went by like a flash.” He finds joy in his gratitude for the parishes of Sacred Heart Church in Cut Off, and St. Charles Borromeo Church in Pointe-aux Chenes where he has served in the past, and of course St. Lawrence Church and St. James Mission in Choctaw where he now serves as pastor. “I have experienced God’s blessing from the people of these parishes,” Fr. Thomas says. He also owes gratitude to the bishops of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux with whom he has been privileged to work: Bishop (Emeritus) Sam Jacobs, Bishop Shelton Fabre, and Bishop Mario Dorsonville.

He considers Father Robert Rogers, with whom he served in Cut Off, as a mentor who was a tremendous help to him. Father Thomas cites visiting the sick and shut-ins of the communities as his greatest joy because he can sense their appreciation when they express that he is the only one who comes to visit them. He has gratitude for what the elderly have contributed to the culture of our area. “They are the best part of our history,” he says, reflecting on the fact that not as many of these elders are around anymore. Another great joy of his priesthood has been honoring his late mother who was active in encouraging him to become a priest. He recalls memories of his mother hosting 8 to 10 people in her home for dinner regularly. Her example of service to others was instrumental in his vocation. He says that she is the only person he never witnessed getting angry. Father Thomas remembers she was the “happiest person” when he was ordained to the priesthood.

Father Rholly, who has served in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux for a total of 15 years, explains his joy in priesthood as an acronym: J for Jesus in the Holy Eucharist; O for obedience to the will of God and the church; and Y for yes to service. The most important for him is the Holy Eucharist. “On September 10, 1998, I celebrated my first Mass, and the joy of celebrating the Holy Eucharist is the fulfillment of my priesthood.” The theme of his celebration of 25 years of priesthood is based on Psalm 89:1: “I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever.” Father Rholly says that he always sings the consecration because of the meaning of this Psalm to his priesthood. With obedience, he seeks the will of God and the ability to do it. “It is a grace I pray for every day as a priest. The joy of knowing those times that I was able to do and obey God’s will is a blessing for my priesthood.” Father Rholly’s “yes” to serving the people of God has especially been experienced as he has visitied sick and the homebound during his 25 years of priestly ministry.

In conclusion, Fr. Todd shares his gratitude for all that he’s experienced during his priestly ministry. “Many things have changed in the church since Archbishop Cody ordained me in 1963. We were still celebrating the Mass in Latin. Many people did not understand what was going on…some people used the Mass as a time to meditate. Many people did not go to Communion. Thank God things have changed. People can now use their Baptismal Priesthood to offer with the ordained priest the sacrifice of Jesus to the Father. What a privilege!”