We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal
through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.
2 Corinthians 5:10 His Holiness Benedict the XVI has dedicated this year of our Lord +2010
AD for prayer and recognition of the Priesthood.St Paul in his second letter to the
Corinthians speaks of one of the primary facets of this Priesthood. The
ministry of reconciliation. This takes place the Gospel preaching of
forgiveness and God's great mercy and also but no less in the Sacrament of
Reconciliation (Confession). Jesus Christ came that he might offer himself on
the Cross so that we might be reconciled to God the Father through him.
The priest in Catholic Christian understanding in this verse of St Paul stands in the
person of Christ (in persona Christi). Hence it is not the priest who forgives
or baptizes or sanctifies but Christ himself.
You too as laity have a share in this priesthood of Christ. (The priesthood of
all believers.) To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins
by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to
serve his God and Father- to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.
Thus the Church has both an ordained ministry of Priesthood and the common
priesthood of believers which we receive in Baptism. We are anointed priest,
prophet and king. I invite all of the faithful to pray for their priest during this year
of the priests. We give special thanks to our brother Knights who
graciously hosted a dinner in appreciation for our priest and we invite all of
the faithful to take part in a special Mass for priests which will be held in
June. More information will follow. Invoking God's blessing and favor on all of you and your families.
Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. Stephen M. Borlang, Pastor St Vincent
Ferrer Catholic Church
St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church 925 Sacramento Street Vallejo, California 94590 707-644-8396
