'Chosen' for new life

Argus Leader ^ | June 1, 2003 | Rebecca Schultze

[NYer]

Within the subdued desert hues and serene lighting of St. Joseph Cathedral, two men lay before Bishop Robert Carlson as they accepted their calling to the priesthood.

Carlson, in the presence of Bishop Paul Dudley and 80 priests, deacons and seminarians, ordained Martin Lawrence, 38, and Todd Reitmeyer, 34, for the Catholic Diocese of Sioux Falls during a special two-hour Mass on Friday.

[NYer]

Congrats to newly minted Fr. Todd! (By the way, the bishop mentioned in the article played a big part in bringing my pal Jeff Cavins back into the Church after he'd spent 12 years as a Protestant pastor. If you want to read a terrific story, check out Jeff's delightful book My Life on the Rock.
Mark Shea

[NYer]

"The failures are mine, the successes are God's,"

An excellent beginning .... would that more priests shared his view.

[NYer]

Congrats to newly minted Fr. Todd! (By the way, the bishop mentioned in the article played a big part in bringing my pal Jeff Cavins back into the Church after he'd spent 12 years as a Protestant pastor...... Mark Shea

Anyone you know?

[drstevej]

Not familiar with the name.

[Hermann the Cherusker]

I know the new Fr. Martin personally. He is a wonderful man, and will be an excellent priest.

[NYer]

"excellent priest" - words that make my heart sing. I personally believe that the church is being purged right now of is chaff. In its place, new sprouts, like Fr. Martin are being planted and will blossom into new life.

Read an article the other day on the spiritdaily web site that spoke about the growing number of converts to the catholic church. The author seemed perplexed, given the state of scandal in the catholic church. The newcomers have a very different view. They consider the scandal to be sign from Christ that the catholic church is indeed HIS church, and that He has sent the Holy Spirit to purge it. Interesting.